Agonists of A2A adenosine receptors for treatment of diabetic nephropathy

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a therapeutic method for treating diabetic kidney disease, e.g., diabetic nephropathy that includes the administration of an effective amount of an A 2A  adenosine receptor agonist. Optionally, the method includes administration of a type IV PDE inhibitor.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/567,465, filed May 3, 2004, which application is incorporated by reference herein.

GOVERNMENT FUNDING

The invention described herein was made with government support under Grant Number DK58413-02A1 awarded by the National Institute of Health. The United States Government has certain rights in the invention.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method for treating inflammation caused by diabetes particularly, diabetic kidney disease, e.g., diabetic nephropathy.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Diabetes is the most common cause of end stage renal disease (ESRD) in the United States, accounting for ˜40% of the cases of renal failure at the time of initiation of dialysis or transplantation. Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a kidney disease that can occur as a result of diabetes and is a leading cause of kidney failure and ESRD. Increased demand upon the kidneys is indicated by an above-normal glomerular filtration rate (GFR). High glucose levels are believed to cause damage to the glomeruous where blood enters the kidney. For patients suffering from DN, the delicate filtering system in the kidney becomes damaged, initially becoming leaky to large blood proteins such as albumin which are then lost in urine.

Typically, DN is prevented or controlled by controlling the blood glucose level. This has been used to prevent the development and slow the progression of diabetic nephropathy, as well as the other complications of diabetes. DN begins with a tiny amount of protein appearing in the urine—this is called microalbuminuria. Over about 10-15 years proteinuria can increase, and nephrotic syndrome may develop. The development of proteinuria reduces the kidneys' ability to remove poisons from the blood such that 5-10 years later the kidneys are almost completely unable to remove these poisons from the blood. This is called “end-stage renal disease” (ESRD), and, unless treated, can be fatal.

An abnormal condition that can develop or worsen in DN patients is high blood pressure. This can be the first symptom (abnormality) to develop. Diabetic nephropathy is also an indication of worsening blood vessel disease throughout the body. Diabetic eye disease is usually present by this stage indicating damage to smaller blood vessels. Larger blood vessels (arteries) are almost always affected. This can lead to heart attacks, strokes, and circulatory disease occurring more often and at a younger age than usual. Commonly diabetes will have also resulted in damage to small nerves causing “diabetic peripheral nephropathy” and “autonomic neuropathy”. Thus, Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is associated with markedly higher morbidity and mortality rates.

Current methods for treating DN include managing blood pressure. This usually requires more than one type of blood pressure medicine to achieve. Two classes of drug used to control blood pressure deserve special mention. These are the Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II (AT II) receptor antagonists. Many studies have documented the greater potency of ACE inhibitors at reducing proteinuria and the progression of kidney disease compared to other classes of drug. These drugs not only reduce blood pressure in the large blood vessels, but also directly in the kidneys' filtering system (called glomeruli). Although these drugs tend to be preferentially used, they need to be monitored as they may have a detrimental effect on some people. It is thought that AT II receptor antagonists will have a similar effect, and these are often used in those unable to tolerate ACE inhibitors.

Accordingly, there is a need for the development of additional methods and suitable pharmaceutical agents useful in therapy for treatment and/or prevention of diabetic kidney disease particularly diabetic nephropathy. There is currently a need for a method to treat renal injury associated with diabetic kidney disease, such as, for example, diabetic nephropathy and renal injury associated with diabetic nephropathy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a therapeutic method for treating diabetic kidney disease, e.g., diabetic nephropathy comprising the administration to a patient in need thereof, an effective amount an A_(2A) adenosine receptor agonist. The beneficial effects of A_(2A)AR agonists have been documented in vivo, in experimental models using rats.

Agonists of A_(2A) adenosine receptors are useful for treatment and/or prevent renal diabetic nephropathy. The effects of adenosine A_(2A) agonists can be enhanced by type IV phosphodiesterase inhibitors such as, for example, rolipram.

The invention also provides for the use of an A_(2A) adenosine receptor agonist compound in medical therapy (e.g., for use in the treatment of diabetic kidney disease, such as, diabetic nephropathy, as well as the use of an A_(2A) adenosine receptor agonist compound for the manufacture of a medicament for reducing inflammation caused by diabetes treatment thereof in a mammal, such as a human.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIGS. 1-5 illustrate the use of an A_(2A) AR agonist (ATL146e) in the treatment of prevention of diabetic nephropathy.

FIG. 6 illustrates the effect of an A_(2A) AR agonist (ATL146e) treatment on kidney histology after 6 weeks of diabetes. Trichrome stain of kidneys from diabetic rats treated with vehicle for 6 weeks (Panels a, and c) or ATL146e-10 ng/kg/min (Panels b, and d). Mag x 400. Each panel represents a photograph from separate animals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a therapeutic method for treating diabetic kidney disease, e.g., diabetic nephropathy comprising the administration to a patient in need thereof, an effective amount an A_(2A) adenosine receptor agonist. Agonists of A_(2A) adenosine receptors can be used for treatment and/or prevent renal diabetic nephropathy. The effects of adenosine A_(2A) agonists can be enhanced by type IV phosphodiesterase inhibitors such as, for example, rolipram.

In another embodiment, the invention provides for the use of an A_(2A) adenosine receptor agonist compound in medical therapy (e.g., for use in the treatment of diabetic kidney disease, such as, diabetic nephropathy, as well as the use of an A_(2A) adenosine receptor agonist compound for the manufacture of a medicament for reducing inflammation caused by diabetes treatment thereof in a mammal, such as a human.

The invention provides a general method for treating DN by administering an effective amount of an A_(2A) adenosine receptor agonist to a patient in need thereof such treatment. There are a large number of adenosine A_(2A) receptor agonists known in the art. Several groups of A_(2A) adenosine receptor agonists are disclosed herein. However, a person skilled in the art can make additional A_(2A) receptor agonists without great difficulty. The effectiveness of A_(2A) adenosine receptor agonists against diabetic nephropathy would not have been predicted on the basis of the uses known for A_(2A) receptor agonists. There is scientific reason for believing that the effectiveness of A_(2A) adenosine receptor agonists is a general property of these compounds and not merely a property specific to the actual compound tested herein.

Selective adenosine A_(2A) receptor agonists can be identified by the ability of the selective adenosine A_(2A) receptor antagonist ZM 241385 to block their activity of the A_(2A) receptor agonist in known in vitro or in vivo models where the known A_(2A) receptors are shown to be effective.

The following definitions are used, unless otherwise described. Halo is fluoro, chloro, bromo, or iodo. Alkyl, alkoxy, aralkyl, alkylaryl, etc. denote both straight and branched alkyl groups; but reference to an individual radical such as “propyl” embraces only the straight chain radical, a branched chain isomer such as “isopropyl” being specifically referred to. Aryl includes a phenyl radical or an ortho-fused bicyclic carbocyclic radical having about nine to ten ring atoms in which at least one ring is aromatic. Heteroaryl encompasses a radical attached via a ring carbon of a monocyclic aromatic ring containing five or six ring atoms consisting of carbon and one to four heteroatoms each selected from the group consisting of non-peroxide oxygen, sulfur, and N(X) wherein X is absent or is H, O, (C₁-C₄)alkyl, phenyl or benzyl, as well as a radical of an ortho-fused bicyclic heterocycle of about eight to ten ring atoms derived therefrom, particularly a benz-derivative or one derived by fusing a propylene, trimethylene, or tetramethylene diradical thereto.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the compounds of formulas (I), (II), (III), and (IV) have more than one chiral center and may be isolated in optically active and racemic forms. Preferably, the riboside moiety of the compounds is derived from D-ribose, i.e., the 3′,4′-hydroxyl groups are alpha to the sugar ring and the 2′ and 5′ groups is beta (3R, 4S, 2R, 5S). When the two groups on the cyclohexyl group are in the 1- and 4-position, they are preferably trans. Some compounds may exhibit polymorphism. It is to be understood that the present invention encompasses any racemic, optically-active, polymorphic, or stereoisomeric form, or mixtures thereof, of a compound of the invention, which possess the useful properties described herein, it being well known in the art how to prepare optically active forms (for example, by resolution of the racemic form by recrystallization techniques, or enzymatic techniques, by synthesis from optically-active starting materials, by chiral synthesis, or by chromatographic separation using a chiral stationary phase) and how to determine adenosine agonist activity using the tests described herein, or using other similar tests which are well known in the art.

Specific and preferred values listed below for radicals, substituents, and ranges, are for illustration only; they do not exclude other defined values or other values within defined ranges for the radicals and substituents.

Specifically, (C₁-C₈)alkyl can be methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, iso-butyl, sec-butyl, pentyl, 3-pentyl, hexyl, heptyl or octyl. As used herein, the term “cycloalkyl” encompasses bicycloalkyl (norbornyl, 2.2.2-bicyclooctyl, etc.) and tricycloalkyl (adamantyl, etc.), optionally comprising 1-2 N, O or S. Cycloalkyl also encompasses (cycloalkyl)alkyl. Thus, (C₃-C8)cycloalkyl can be cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl,cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl, and the like. C₃-C₇ Cycloalkenyl can be cyclopropenyl, cyclobutenyl, cyclopentenyl, cyclohexenyl,cycloheptenyl, and the like. (C₁-C₈)Alkoxy can be methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, butoxy, iso-butoxy, sec-butoxy, pentoxy, 3-pentoxy, or hexyloxy; (C₂-C₄)alkenyl can be vinyl, allyl, 1-propenyl, 2-propenyl, 1-butenyl, 2-butenyl, 3-butenyl; (C₁-C₆)alkanoyl can be acetyl, propanoyl or butanoyl; halo(C₁-C₆)alkyl can be iodomethyl, bromomethyl, chloromethyl, fluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, 2-chloroethyl, 2-fluoroethyl, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl, or pentafluoroethyl; hydroxy(C₁-C₆)alkyl can be hydroxymethyl, 1-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, 1-hydroxypropyl, 2-hydroxypropyl, 3-hydroxypropyl, 1-hydroxybutyl, 4-hydroxybutyl, 1-hydroxypentyl, 5-hydroxypentyl, 1-hydroxyhexyl, or 6-hydroxyhexyl; (C₁-C₆)alkoxycarbonyl (—CO₂R²) can be methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, propoxycarbonyl, isopropoxycarbonyl, butoxycarbonyl, pentoxycarbonyl, or hexyloxycarbonyl; (C₁-C₆)alkylthio can be methylthio, ethylthio, propylthio, isopropylthio, butylthio, isobutylthio, pentylthio, or hexylthio; aryl can be phenyl, indenyl, or naphthyl; and heteroaryl can be furyl, imidazolyl, triazolyl, triazinyl, oxazoyl, isoxazoyl, thiazolyl, isothiazoyl, pyraxolyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazinyl, tetrazolyl, puridyl (or its N-oxide), thientyl, pyrimidinyl (or its N-oxide), indolyl, isoquinolyl (or its N-oxide) or quinolyl (or its N-oxide).

Aryl denotes a phenyl radical or an ortho-fused bicyclic carbocyclic radical having about nine to ten ring atoms in which at least one ring is aromatic. Heteroaryl denotes a radical of a monocyclic aromatic ring containing five or six ring atoms consisting of carbon and 1, 2, 3, or 4 heteroatoms each selected from the group consisting of non-peroxide oxygen, sulfur, and N(Y) wherein Y is absent or is H, O, (C₁-C₈)alkyl, phenyl or benzyl, as well as a radical of an ortho-fused bicyclic heterocycle of about eight to ten ring atoms derived therefrom, particularly a benz-derivative or one derived by fusing a propylene, trimethylene, or tetramethylene diradical thereto.

The term “heterocycle” generally represents a non aromatic heterocyclic group, having from 3 to about 10 ring atoms, which can be saturated or partially unsaturated, containing at least one heteroatom (e.g., 1, 2, or 3) selected from the group consisting of oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur. Specific, “heterocycle” groups include monocyclic, bicyclic, or tricyclic groups containing one or more heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur. A “heterocycle” group also can include one or more oxo groups (═O) attached to a ring atom. Non-limiting examples of heterocycle groups include 1,3-dioxolane, 1,4-dioxane, 1,4-dithiane, 2H-pyran, 2-pyrazoline, 4H-pyran, chromanyl, imidazolidinyl, imidazolinyl, indolinyl, isochromanyl, isoindolinyl, morpholine, piperazinyl, piperidine, piperidyl, pyrazolidine, pyrazolidinyl, pyrazolinyl, pyrrolidine, pyrroline, quinuelidine, thiomorpholine, and the like.

The term “alkylene” refers to a divalent straight or branched hydrocarbon chain (e.g ethylene —CH₂CH₂—).

The term “aryl(C₁-C₈)alkylene” for example includes benzyl, phenethyl, 3-phenylpropyl, naphthylmethyl and the like.

As used herein, the term “treatment” or “treating,” to the extent it relates to a disease or condition includes preventing the disease or condition from occurring, inhibiting the disease or condition, eliminating the disease or condition, and/or relieving one or more symptoms of the disease or condition.

As used herein the term “in conjunction with” refers to co-administration of a pharmaceutical agent, such as, for example, a PDE IV inhibitor or other pharmaceutical agent with the A_(2A) adenosine receptor agonist. The agents and the A_(2A) adenosine receptor agonists can be administered either simultaneously or as a mixture or they can be administered subsequently. The subsequent administration of the A_(2A) adenosine receptor agonists can be prior to the agent, within minutes or up to about 48 hours after the administration of the agent. Preferably the administration of the A_(2A) adenosine receptor agonists will be within about 24 hours and more preferably within about 12 hours.

The carbon atom content of various hydrocarbon-containing moieties is indicated by a prefix designating the minimum and maximum number of carbon atoms in the moiety, i.e., the prefix C_(i)-C_(j) indicates a moiety of the integer “i” to the integer “j” carbon atoms, inclusive. Thus, for example, (C₁-C₈)alkyl refers to alkyl of one to eight carbon atoms, inclusive.

The compounds of the present invention are generally named according to the IUPAC or CAS nomenclature system. Abbreviations which are well known to one of ordinary skill in the art may be used (e.g., “Ph” for phenyl, “Me” for methyl, “Et” for ethyl, “h” for hour or hours and “rt” for room temperature).

In one embodiment, agonists of A_(2A) adenosine receptors useful to practice the present invention include compounds having the formula (I):

wherein

-   -   Z is CR³R⁴R⁵ or NR⁴R⁵; each R¹ is independently hydrogen, halo,         —OR^(a), —SR^(a), (C₁-C₈)alkyl, cyano, nitro, trifluoromethyl,         trifluoromethoxy, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl, heterocycle,         hetrocycle(C₁-C₈)alkylene-, aryl, aryl(C₁-C₈)alkylene-,         heteroaryl, heteroaryl(C₁-C₈)alkylene-, —CO₂R^(a), R^(a)C(═O)O—,         R^(a)C(═O), —OCO₂R^(a), R^(b)R^(c)NC(═O)O—,         R^(a)OC(═O)N(R^(b))—, R^(b)R^(c)N—, R^(b)R^(c)NC(═O)—,         R^(a)C(═O)N(R^(b))—, R^(b)R^(c)NC(═O)N(R^(b))—,         R^(b)R^(c)NC(═S)N(R^(b))—, —OPO₃R^(a), R^(a)OC(═S)—,         R^(a)C(═S)—, —SSR^(a), R^(a)S(═O)—, R^(a)S(═O)₂—, —N═NR^(b), or         —OPO₂R^(a);     -   each R² is independently hydrogen, halo, (C₁-C₈)alkyl,         (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl, heterocycle, heterocycle(C₁-C₈)alkylene-,         aryl, aryl(C₁-C₈)alkylene-, heteroaryl, or         heteroaryl(C₁-C₈)alkylene-; or     -   R¹ and R² and the atom to which they are attached is C═O, C═S or         C═NR^(d),     -   R⁴ and R⁵ together with the atoms to which they are attached         form a saturated or partially unsaturated, mono-, bicyclic- or         aromatic ring having 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 ring atoms         optionally comprising 1, 2, 3, or 4 heteroatoms selected from         non-peroxide oxy (—O—), thio (—S—), sulfinyl (—SO—), sulfonyl         (—S(O)₂—) or amine (—NR^(b)—) in the ring;     -   wherein any ring comprising R⁴ and R⁵ is substituted with from 0         to 14 R⁶ groups; wherein each R⁶ is independently halo, —OR         —SR^(a), (C₁-C₈)alkyl, cyano, nitro, trifluoromethyl,         trifluoromethoxy, (C₁-C₈)cycloalkyl, (C₆-C₁₂)bicycloalkyl,         heterocycle or hetrocycle (C₁-C₈)alkylene-, aryl, aryl         (C₁-C₈)alkylene-, heteroaryl, heteroaryl(C₁-C₈)alkylene-,         —CO₂R^(a), R^(a)C(═O)O—, R^(a)C(═O)—, —OCO₂R^(a),         R^(b)R^(c)NC(═O)O—, R^(a)OC(═O)N(R^(b))—, R^(b)R^(c)N—,         R^(b)R^(c)NC(═O)—, R^(a)C(═O)N(R^(b))—,         R^(b)R^(c)NC(═O)N(R^(b))—, R^(b)R^(c)NC(═S)N(R^(b))—,         —OPO₃R^(a), R^(a)OC(═S)—, R^(a)C(═S)—, —SSR^(a), R^(a)S(═O)—,         —NNR^(b),—OPO₂R^(a), or two R⁶ groups and the atom to which they         are attached is C═O, C═S or; two R⁶ groups together with the         atom or atoms to which they are attached can form a carbocyclic         or heterocyclic ring;     -   R³ is hydrogen, halo, —OR^(a), —SR^(a), (C₁-C₈)alkyl, cyano,         nitro, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl,         heterocycle, hetrocycle(C₁-C₈)alkylene-, aryl,         aryl(C₁-C₈)alkylene-, heteroaryl, heteroaryl(C₁-C₈)alkylene-,         —CO₂R^(a), R^(a)C(═O)O—, R^(a)C(═O)—, —OCO₂R^(a),         R^(b)R^(c)NC(═O )O—, R^(a)OC(═O)N(R^(b))—, R^(b)R^(c)N—,         R^(b)R^(c)NC(═O)—, R^(a)C(═O)N(R^(b)),         R^(b)R^(c)NC(═O)N(R^(b))—, R^(b)R^(c)NC(═S)N(R^(b))—,         —OPO₃R^(a), R^(a)OC(═S)—, R^(a)C(═S)—, —SSR^(a), R^(a)S(═O)—,         R^(a)S(═O)₂—, —NNR^(b), —OPO₂R^(a); or if the ring formed from         CR⁴R⁵ is aryl or hetreroaryl or partially unsaturated then R³         can be absent;     -   each R⁷ is independently hydrogen, (C₁-C₈)alkyl,         (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl, aryl or aryl(C₁-C₈)alkylene, heteroaryl,         heteroaryl(C₁-C₈)alkylene-;     -   X is —CH₂OR^(a), —CO₂R^(a), —OC(O)R^(a), —CH₂OC(O)R^(a),         C(O)NR^(b)R^(c), —CH₂SR^(a), —C(S)OR^(a), —OC(S)R^(a),         —CH₂OC(S)R^(a) or —C(S)NR^(b)R^(c) or —CH₂N(R^(b))(R^(c));     -   wherein any of the alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, or         heteroaryl, groups of R¹, R², R³, R⁶ and R⁷ is optionally         substituted on carbon with one or more (e.g. 1, 2, 3, or 4)         substituents selected from the group consisting of halo,         —OR^(a), —SR^(a), (C₁-C₈)alkyl, cyano, nitro, trifluoromethyl,         trifluoromethoxy, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl, (C₆-C₁₂)bicycloalkyl,         heterocycle or hetrocycle(C₁-C₈)-alkylene-, aryl, aryloxy,         aryl(C₁-C₈)alkylene-, heteroaryl, heteroaryl(C₁-C₈)-alkylene-,         —CO₂R^(a), R^(a)C(═O)O—, R^(a)C(═O)—, —OCO₂R^(a),         R^(b)R^(c)NC(═O)O—, R^(a)OC(═O)N(R^(b))—, R^(b)R^(c)N—,         R^(b)R^(c)NC(═O)—, R^(a)C(═O)N(R^(b))—, R^(b)RCNC(═O)N(R^(b))—,         R^(b)R^(c)NC(═S)N(R^(b))—, —OPO₃R^(a), R^(a)OC(═S)—,         R^(a)C(═S)—, —SSR^(a), R^(a)S(═O)_(p)—, R^(b)R^(c)NS(O)_(p)—,         N═NR^(b), and —OPO₂R^(a);     -   wherein any (C₁-C₈)alkyl, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl,         (C₆-C₁₂)bicycloalkyl, (C₁-C₈)alkoxy, (C₁-C₈)alkanoyl,         (C₁-C₈)alkylene, or heterocycle, is optionally partially         unsaturated;     -   each R^(a), R^(b) and R^(c) is independently hydrogen,         (C₁-C₈)alkyl, or (C₁-C₈)alkyl substituted with 1-3         (C₁-C₈)alkoxy, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl, (C₁-C₈)alkylthio, amino acid,         aryl, aryl(C₁-C₈)alkylene, heteroaryl, or         heteroaryl(C₁-C₈)alkylene; or R^(b) and R^(c), together with the         nitrogen to which they are attached, form a pyrrolidino,         piperidino, morpholino, or thiomorpholino ring; and R^(d) is         hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)alkyl; m is 0 to about 8 and p is 0 to 2; or         a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In another embodiment, the invention includes the use of compounds of formula (I) provided that m is at least 1 when Z is NR⁴R⁵.

Specific and preferred values listed below for radicals, substituents, and ranges, are for illustration only; they do not exclude other defined values or other values within defined ranges for the radicals and substituents.

A specific value for R¹ is hydrogen, —OH, —CH₂OH, —OMe, —OAc, —NH₂, —NHMe, —NMe₂ or —NHAc.

Another specific value for R¹ is hydrogen, —OH, —OMe, —OAc, —NH₂, —NHMe, —NMe₂ or —NHAc.

Another specific value for R¹ is hydrogen, —OH, —OMe, or —NH₂.

Another specific value for R¹ is hydrogen, —OH, or —NH².

A more specific value for R¹ is hydrogen or —OH.

A specific value for R¹, R² and the carbon atom to which they are attached is carbonyl (C═O).

A specific value for R² is hydrogen or (C₁-C₈)alkyl, cyclopropyl, cyclohexyl or benzyl.

Another specific value for R² is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl or propyl.

Another specific value for R² is hydrogen or methyl.

A more specific value for R² is hydrogen.

A specific value for R³ is hydrogen, OH, OMe, OAc, NH₂, NHMe, NMe₂ or NHAc.

Another specific value for R³ is hydrogen, OH, OMe, or NH₂.

Another specific value for R³ is hydrogen, OH, or NH₂.

A more specific value for R³ is hydrogen or OH.

A specific value for the ring comprising R⁴, R⁵ and the atom to which they are connected is cyclopentane, cyclohexane, piperidine, dihydro-pyridine, tetrahydro-pyridine, pyridine, piperazine, decaline, tetrahydro-pyrazine, dihydro-pyrazine, pyrazine, dihydro-pyrimidine, tetrahydro-pyrimidine, hexahydro-pyrimidine, pyrazine, imidazole, dihydro-imidazole, imidazolidine, pyrazole, dihydro-pyrazole, and pyrazolidine.

A more specific value for the ring comprising R⁴ and R⁵ and the atom to which they are connected is, cyclohexane, piperidine or piperazine.

A specific value for R⁶ is (C₁-C₈)alkyl, or substituted (C₁-C₈)alkyl, —OR^(a), —CO₂R^(a), R^(a)C(═O)—, R^(a)C(═O)O—, R^(b)R^(c)N—, R^(b)R^(c)NC(═O)—, or aryl.

Another specific value for R⁶ is (C₁-C₈)alkyl, —OR^(a), —CO₂R^(a), R^(a)C(═O)—, R^(a)C(═O)O—, R^(b)R^(c)N—, R^(b)R^(c)NC(═O)—, or aryl.

Another specific value for R⁶ is methyl, ethyl, butyl, OH, OR^(a), —CO₂R^(a), R^(a)C(═O)—, OC(═O)CH₂CH₃, —CONR^(b)R^(c), —NR^(b)R^(c) or phenyl.

Another specific value for R⁶ is OH, OMe, methyl, ethyl, t-butyl, CO₂R^(a), —C(═O)NR^(b)R^(c), —OAc, —NH₂, —NHMe, —NMe₂, —NHEt or —N(Et)₂.

Another specific value for R⁶ is-(CH₂)₁₋₂OR^(a), —(CH₂)₁₋₂C(═O)OR^(a), —(CH₂)₁₋₂OC(═O)R^(a), —(CH₂)₁₋₂C(═O)R^(a), —(CH₂)₁₋₂OCO₂R^(a), —(CH₂)₁₋₂NHR^(a), —(CH₂)₁₋₂NR^(b)R^(c), —(CH₂)₁₋₂OC(═O)NHR^(a), or —CH₂)₁₋₂OC(═O)NR^(b)R^(c).

Another specific value for R⁶ is —CH₂OH, —CH₂OAc, —CH₂OCH₃, —CH₂C(═O)OCH₃, —CH₂PC(═O)CH₃, —CH₂C(═O)CH₃, —CH₂OCO₂CH₃, —CH₂NH(CH₃), or —(CH₂)₁₋₂N(CH₃)₂.

Another specific value for R⁶ is methyl, ethyl, t-butyl, phenyl, —CO₂R^(a), —CONR^(b)R^(c), or R^(a)C(═O)—.

Another specific value for R⁶ is —CH₂OH, —CH₂OAc, —C(═O)OCH₃, —C(═O)CH₃, OCO₂CH₃ —OCO₂CH₃, —CH₂NH(CH₃), or —(CH₂)₁₋₂N(CH₃)₂.

A more specific value for R⁶ is methyl, ethyl, —CO₂R^(a)—CONR^(b)R^(c), or R^(a)C(═O)—.

A specific number of R⁶ groups substituted on the R⁴R⁵ ring is from 1 to about 4.

Specific values for R^(a) and R^(b) are independently hydrogen, (C₁-C₄)alkyl, aryl or aryl(C₁-C₈)alkylene.

More specific values for R^(a) and R^(b) are independently hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, phenyl or benzyl.

A more specific value for R^(a) is (C₁-C₈)alkyl.

Another specific value for R^(a) is methyl, ethyl, propyl or butyl.

A more specific value for R^(a) is methyl, ethyl, i-propyl, i-butyl or tert-butyl.

Another specific value for R^(b) and R^(c) is a ring A specific value for R⁷ is hydrogen, alkyl, aryl or aryl(C₁-C₈)alkylene.

Another specific value for R⁷ is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl, phenyl or benzyl.

A more specific value for R⁷ is H, or methyl.

A specific value for —N(R⁷)₂ is amino, methylamino, dimethylamino, ethylamino, pentylamino, diphenylethylamino, pyridylmethylamino (—NR—CH₂-Pyr, where R is a suitable group as described herein), diethylamino or benzylamino.

A specific value for —N(R⁷)₂ is amino, methylamino, dimethylamino, ethylamino, diethylamino diphenylethylamino, pentylamino or benzylamino.

A specific value for N(R⁷)₂ is amino, or methylamino.

A specific value for X is —CH₂OR^(a), —CO₂R^(a), —OC(O)R^(a), −CH₂OC(O)R^(a), —C(O)NR^(b)R^(c).

Another specific value for X is —CH₂OR^(a) or —C(O)NR^(b)R^(c).

A more specific value for X is —CH₂OH or —C(O)NHCH₂CH₃.

A specific value for m is 0, 1, or 2.

A more specific value for m is 0, or 1.

Specific examples of rings comprising R⁴, R⁵ and the atom to which they are connected include:

where q is from 0 to 14 and R^(d) is hydrogen or R⁶, provided that when q is zero then R^(d) is not hydrogen.

More specific examples of rings comprising R⁴, R⁵ and the atom to which they are connected include:

Specific values for the ring comprising R⁴, R⁵ and the atom to which they are connected are 2-methyl cyclohexane, 2,2-dimethylcyclohexane, 2-phenylcyclohexane, 2-ethylcyclohexane, 2,2-diethylcyclohexane, 2-tert-butyl cyclohexane, 3-methyl cyclohexane, 3,3-dimethylcyclohexane, 4-methyl cyclohexane, 4-ethylcyclohexane, 4-phenyl cyclohexane, 4-tert-butyl cyclohexane, 4-carboxymethyl cyclohexane, 4-carboxyethyl cyclohexane, 3,3,5,5-tetramethyl cyclohexane, 2,4-dimethyl cyclopentane. 4-cyclohexanecarboxyic acid, 4-cyclohexanecarboxyic acid esters, or 4-methyloxyalkanoyl-cyclohexane.

More specific values for the ring comprising R⁴, R⁵ and the atom to which they are connected are 4-piperidine, 4-piperidene-1-carboxylic acid, 4-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid methyl ester, 4-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid ethyl ester, 4-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid propyl ester, 4-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester, 1-piperidine, 1-piperidine-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester, 1-piperidine-4-carboxylic acid ethyl ester, 1-piperidine-4-carboxylic acid propyl ester, 1-piperidine-4-caboxylic acid tert-butyl ester, 1-piperidine-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester, 3-piperidine, 3-piperidene-1-carboxylic acid, 3-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid methyl ester, 3-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester, 1,4-piperazine, 4-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid, 4-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid methyl ester, 4-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid ethyl ester, 4-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid propyl ester, 4-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butylester, 1,3-piperazine, 3-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid, 3-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid methyl ester, 3-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid ethyl ester, 3-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid propyl ester, 3-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butylester, 1-piperidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester, 1-piperidine-3-carboxylic acid ethyl ester, 1-piperidine-3-carboxylic acid propyl ester or 1-piperidine-3-caboxylic acid tert-butyl ester.

Another group of specific values for the ring comprising R⁴ and R⁵ are 2-methyl cyclohexane, 2,2-dimethylcyclohexane, 2-phenyl cyclohexane, 2-ethylcyclohexane, 2,2-diethylcyclohexane, 2-tert-butyl cyclohexane, 3-methyl cyclohexane, 3,3-dimethylcyclohexane, 4-methyl cyclohexane, 4-ethylcyclohexane, 4-phenyl cyclohexane, 4-tert-butyl cyclohexane, 4-carboxymethyl cyclohexane, 4-carboxyethyl cyclohexane, 3,3,5,5-tetramethyl cyclohexane, 2,4-dimethyl cyclopentane, 4-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid methyl ester, 4-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 4-piperidine, 4-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid methyl ester, 4-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butylester, 1-piperidine-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester, 1-piperidine-4-caboxylic acid tert-butyl ester, tert-butylester, 1-piperidine-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester, or 1-piperidine-4-caboxylic acid tert-butyl ester, 3-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid methyl ester, 3-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester, 3-piperidine, 3-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid methyl ester, 3-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butylester, 1-piperidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester, 1-piperidine-3-caboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

Specific compounds of formula (I) are those wherein each R⁷ is H, X is ethylaminocarbonyl and

-   -   R¹ is hydroxy, R² is hydrogen, and Z is 4-carboxycyclohexyl,         wherein R^(a)is hydrogen, 4; Z is         4-methoxycarbonylcyclohexylmethyl, R^(a) is methyl, 5; R¹ and R²         together are oxo, Z is a 4-carbonylcyclohexyl group, wherein         R^(a) is methyl, methoxy, ethyl, ethoxy, propyl, isopropoxy,         -isobutyl, tert-butyl, amine, methylamine or dimethylamine, 6.

Another group of specific compounds of formula (I) are those wherein each R⁷ is H, X is ethylaminocarbonyl, R¹ is hydroxy, R² is hydrogen, and Z is a substituted 4-(methyleneoxycarbonyl)cyclohexyl group, wherein R^(a)is methyl, ethyl, propyl, tert-butyl, methoxy, ethoxy, methylamine or dimethylamine, 7; or R¹ and R² together are oxo, and Z is a substituted -(methyleneoxycarbonyl)-cyclohexyl group, wherein R^(a)is methyl, ethyl, propyl, tert-butyl, methoxy, ethoxy, methylamine or dimethylamine, 8.

Another group of specific compounds of formula (I) are those wherein each R⁷ is H, X is ethylaminocarbonyl, and R¹ and R² are each hydrogen, and Z is a 1-piperidyl-4-carboxylic acid or ester group, wherein R^(a) is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, or t-butyl, 9; R¹ and R² together are oxo, and Z is a 1-piperidyl-4-carboxylic acid or ester group, wherein R^(a) is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, or t-butyl, 10; R¹ and R² are each hydrogen and Z is a 4-(methyleneoxycarbonyl)piperidin-4-yl group wherein R^(a) is methyl, ethyl, propyl or t-butyl, amine, methylamine, dimethylamine, 11; or R¹ and R² together are oxo, and Z is a 4-(methyleneoxycarbonyl)piperidin-4-yl wherein R^(a) is methyl, ethyl, propyl or t-butyl, amine, methylamine, dimethylamine, 12; R¹ and R² are each hydrogen and Z is a 4-(methyleneoxycarbonyl)piperidin-4-yl-oxy wherein R^(a) is hydrogen, methyl, ethy, propyl isopropyl, isobutyl, or t-butyl, 13or R¹ and R² together are oxo, Z is a 4-(metheneoxycarbonyl)piperidin-4-yl-oxy wherein R^(a) is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, isobutyl, or t-butyl, 14.

Another group of specific compounds of formula (I) are those wherein each R⁷ is H, X is ethylaminocarbonyl, R¹ and R² are each hydrogen, and Z is a 4-piperidyl-1-carboxylic acid or ester group, wherein R^(a) is methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, isobutyl, or t-butyl, 15, R¹ is hydroxy, R² is hydrogen, and Z is a 4-piperidyl-1-carboxylic acid or ester group, wherein R^(a) is methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, isobutyl, or t-butyl, 16; or R¹ and R² together are oxo, and Z is a 4-piperidyl-1-carboxylic acid or ester group, wherein R^(a) is methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, isobutyl, or t-butyl, 17.

Another group of specific compounds of formula (I) are those wherein each R7 is H, X is ethylaminocarbonyl, R1 and R2 are each hydrogen, Z is a 4-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid or ester group wherein R^(a)is methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, isobutyl, or t-butyl, 18; or R1 and R2 together are oxo, Z is a 4-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid or ester group wherein R^(a) is methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, isobutyl, or t-butyl, 19.

Additional compounds useful to practice the invention are depicted in tables 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 below: TABLE 1

Compound R R¹ R² R⁶ ATL2037 NECA H H CH₂OH MP9056 NECA OH H CH₂OH ATL146a NECA H H CO₂H MP9057 NECA OH H CO₂H ATL146e NECA H H CO₂Me MP9058 NECA OH H CO₂Me JR2145 CH₂OH H H CO₂Me MP9059 CH₂OH OH H CO₂Me ATL193 NECA H H CH₂OAc MP9060 NECA OH H CH₂Oac JR2147 CH₂OH H H CH₂Oac MP9061 CH₂OH OH H CH₂Oac JR3023 NECA H H CH₂N(CH₃)₂ MP9062 NECA OH H CH₂N(CH₃)₂ JR3021 NECA H H COOCH₂CH₂NHBoc MP9063 NECA OH H COOCH₂CH₂NHBoc JR3033 NECA H H COOCH₂CH₂NH₂ MP9064 NECA OH H COOCH₂CH₂NH₂ JR3037 NECA H H CONHCH₂CH₃ MP9065 NECA OH H CONHCH₂CH₃ JR3055 NECA H H CONH₂ MP9072 NECA OH H CONH₂ JR3065 NECA H H CONHMe MP9066 NECA OH H CONHMe JR3067B NECA H H Me, cis CO₂Me MP9067 NECA OH H Me, cis CO₂Me JR3067A NECA H H Me, trans CO₂Me MP9068 NECA OH H Me, trans CO₂Me JR3087 NECA H H CH₂CH₃ MP9069 NECA OH H CH₂CH₃ JR3159A NECA OH H H JR3159B NECA OH H H JR3119 NECA H H COCH₃ MP9070 NECA OH H COCH₃ JR3121 NECA H H CHCH₃(OH) MP9071 NECA OH H CHCH₃(OH) JR3139 NECA OH C₆H₁₁ H NECA = CH₃CH₂N(H)C(O)—

TABLE 2

Compound R¹ R² R⁶ JR3261 H H H JR3259 H H CO₂tBu JR3269 H H CO₂Et JR4011 H H CO₂iBu JR4009 H H CO₂iPr JR4007 H H COMe JR4051 H H COC(CH₃)₃ JR4047 H H COCH₂(CH₃)₃ MP9047 H H COCH₃ MP9048 H H C(O)N(CH₃)₂ MP9049 H H C(O)N(CH₃)Et MP9050 H H C(O)N(CH₃)iPr MP9051 H H C(O)N(CH₃)iBu MP9052 H H C(O)NH(CH₃) MP9053 H H C(O)NH(Et) MP9054 H H C(O)NH(iPr) MP9055 H H C(O)NH(iBu) TX3261 OH H H TX3259 OH H CO₂tBu TX3269 OH H CO₂Et TX4011 OH H CO₂iBu TX4009 OH H CO₂iPr TX4007 OH H COMe TX4051 OH H COC(CH₃)₃ TX4047 OH H COCH₂(CH₃)₃ TX9047 OH H COCH₃ TX9048 OH H C(O)N(CH₃)₂ TX9049 OH H C(O)N(CH₃)Et TX9050 OH H C(O)N(CH₃)iPr TX9051 OH H C(O)N(CH₃)iBu TX9052 OH H C(O)NH(CH₃) TX9053 OH H C(O)NH(Et) TX9054 OH H C(O)NH(iPr) TX9055 OH H C(O)NH(iBu)

TABLE 3

Compound n R³ R⁶ JR3135 1 OH H JR3089 2 OH H JR3205 2 NH₂ H JR3177A 2 OH 2-CH₃ JR3177B 2 OH 2-CH₃ JR3181A 2 OH 2-CH₃ JR3181B 2 OH 2-CH₃ JR3227 2 OH 2-C(CH₃)3 JR9876 2 OH 2-C₆H₅ JR3179 2 OH 3-CH₃ JR3221 2 OH (R) 3-CH₃ (R) ATL203 2 OH (S) 3-CH₃ (R) MP9041 2 OH (R) 3-CH₃ (S) MP9042 2 OH (S) 3-CH₃ (S) JR3201B 2 OH 3-(CH₃)₂ MP9043 2 OH (R) 3-CH₂CH₃ (R) MP9044 2 OH (S) 3-CH₂CH₃ (R) MP9045 2 OH (R) 3-CH₂CH₃ (S) MP9046 2 OH (S) 3-CH₂CH₃ (S) JR3163 2 OH 3-(CH₃)₂, 5-(CH₃)₂ JR9875 2 OH 4-CH₃ JR3149 2 OH 4-C₂H₅ JR3203 2 OH 4-C(CH₃)₃ JR3161 2 OH 4-C₆H₅

TABLE 4

Compound R¹ R² R⁶ JR3213 H H CO₂Et JR3281 H H CO₂tBu JR3289 H H H JR4025 H H cyclohexyl JR4053 H H COMe JR4049 H H CO₂iBu JR3283 H H 2-Pyrimidinyl MP9029 H H COMe MP9030 H H COC(CH₃)₃ MP9031 H H COCH₂(CH₃)₃ MP9032 H H COCH₃ MP9033 H H C(O)N(CH₃)₂ MP9034 H H C(O)N(CH₃)Et MP9035 H H C(O)N(CH₃)iPr MP9036 H H C(O)N(CH₃)iBu MP9037 H H C(O)NH(CH₃) MP9038 H H C(O)NH(Et) MP9039 H H C(O)NH(iPr) MP9040 H H C(O)NH(iBu)

TABLE 5

Compound R R¹ R² R⁶ MP9021 NECA H H CH₂OH MP9022 NECA H H CO₂H JR3251 NECA H H CO₂Me JR3279 NECA H H CO₂Et MP9027 CH₂OH H H CO₂Me MP9028 NECA H H CO₂MeCH₂OAc MP9015 CH₂OH H H CH₂OAc MP9016 NECA H H CH₂N(CH₃)₂ MP9017 NECA H H COOCH₂CH₂NHBoc MP9018 NECA H H COOCH₂CH₂NH₂ MP9019 NECA H H CONHCH₂CH₃ MP9020 NECA H H CONH₂ MP9023 NECA H H CONHMe MP9024 NECA H H CH₂CH₃ MP9025 NECA H H COCH₃ MP9026 NECA H H CHCH₃(OH) NECA = CH₃CH₂N(H)C(O)—

TABLE 6

Compound R R¹ R² R⁶ MP9001 NECA H H CH₂OH MP9002 NECA H H CO₂H JR3253 NECA H H CO₂Me MP9003 CH₂OH H H CO₂Me MP9004 NECA H H CH₂OAc MP9005 CH₂OH H H CH₂OAc MP9006 NECA H H CH₂N(CH₃)₂ MP9007 NECA H H COOCH₂CH₂NHBoc MP9008 NECA H H COOCH₂CH₂NH2 MP9009 NECA H H CONHCH₂CH₃ MP9010 NECA H H CONH₂ MP9011 NECA H H CONHMe MP9012 NECA H H CH₂CH₃ MP9013 NECA H H COCH₃ MP9014 NECA H H CHCH₃(OH) NECA = CH₃CH₂N(H)C(O)—

TABLE 7

Compound R Y Y′ R⁶ RJ1111 NECA CH CH CO₂Me RJ1112 NECA CH N CO₂Me RJ1113 NECA N CH CO₂Me RJ1114 NECA N N CO₂Me RJ1115 NECA CH CH CH₂OH RJ1116 NECA CH N CH₂OH RJ1117 NECA N CH CH₂OH RJ1118 NECA N N CH₂OH RJ1119 NECA CH CH CO₂H RJ1120 NECA CH N CO₂H RJ1121 NECA N CH CO₂H RJ1122 NECA N N CO₂H RJ1123 NECA CH CH CH₂OAc RJ1124 NECA CH N CH₂OAc RJ1125 NECA N CH CH₂OAc RJ1126 NECA N N CH₂OAc RJ1127 NECA CH CH CONH₂ RJ1128 NECA CH N CONH₂ RJ1129 NECA N CH CONH₂ RJ1130 NECA N N CONH₂ RJ1131 NECA CH CH CONHMe RJ1132 NECA CH N CONHMe RJ1133 NECA N CH CONHMe RJ1134 NECA N N CONHMe RJ1135 NECA CH CH CO₂tBu RJ1136 NECA CH N CO₂tBu RJ1137 NECA N CH CO₂tBu RJ1138 NECA N N CO₂tBu RJ1139 NECA CH CH CO₂Et RJ1140 NECA CH N CO₂Et RJ1141 NECA N CH CO₂Et RJ1142 NECA N N CO₂Et RJ1143 NECA CH CH CO₂iBu RJ1144 NECA CH N CO₂iBu RJ1145 NECA N CH CO₂iBu RJ1146 NECA N N CO₂iBu RJ1147 NECA CH CH CO₂iPr RJ1148 NECA CH N CO₂iPr RJ1149 NECA N CH CO₂iPr RJ1150 NECA N N CO₂iPr RJ1151 NECA CH CH COMe RJ1152 NECA CH N COMe RJ1153 NECA N CH COMe RJ1154 NECA N N COMe RJ1155 NECA CH CH COC(CH₃)₃ RJ1156 NECA CH N COC(CH₃)₃ RJ1157 NECA N CH COC(CH₃)₃ RJ1158 NECA N N COC(CH₃)₃ RJ1159 NECA CH CH COCH₂(CH₃)₃ RJ1160 NECA CH N COCH₂(CH₃)₃ RJ1161 NECA N CH COCH₂(CH₃)₃ RJ1162 NECA N N COCH₂(CH₃)₃ RJ1163 NECA CH CH C(O)N(CH₃)₂ RJ1164 NECA CH N C(O)N(CH₃)₂ RJ1165 NECA N CH C(O)N(CH₃)₂ RJ1166 NECA N N C(O)N(CH₃)₂ RJ1167 NECA CH CH C(O)N(CH₃)Et RJ1168 NECA CH N C(O)N(CH₃)Et RJ1169 NECA N CH C(O)N(CH₃)Et RJ1170 NECA N N C(O)N(CH₃)Et RJ1171 NECA CH CH C(O)N(CH₃)iPr RJ1172 NECA CH N C(O)N(CH₃)iPr RJ1173 NECA N CH C(O)N(CH₃)iPr RJ1174 NECA N N C(O)N(CH₃)iPr RJ1175 NECA CH CH C(O)N(CH₃)iBu RJ1176 NECA CH N C(O)N(CH₃)iBu RJ1177 NECA N CH C(O)N(CH₃)iBu RJ1178 NECA N N C(O)N(CH₃)iBu RJ1179 NECA CH CH C(O)NH(Et) RJ1180 NECA CH N C(O)NH(Et) RJ1181 NECA N CH C(O)NH(Et) RJ1182 NECA N N C(O)NH(Et) RJ1183 NECA CH CH C(O)NH(iPr) RJ1184 NECA CH N C(O)NH(iPr) RJ1185 NECA N CH C(O)NH(iPr) RJ1186 NECA N N C(O)NH(iPr) RJ1187 NECA CH CH C(O)NH(iBu) RJ1188 NECA CH N C(O)NH(iBu) RJ1189 NECA N CH C(O)NH(iBu) RJ1190 NECA N N C(O)NH(iBu) RJ1191 NECA CH CH CH₂OCOCH₃ RJ1192 NECA N CH CH₂OCOCH₃ RJ1193 NECA CH CH CH₂OCOEt RJ1194 NECA N CH CH₂OCOEt RJ1195 NECA CH CH CH₂OCOiPr RJ1196 NECA N CH CH₂OCOiPr RJ1197 NECA CH CH CH₂OCOiBu RJ1198 NECA N CH CH₂OCOiBu NECA = CH₃CH₂N(H)C(O)—

In another embodiment, agonists of A_(2A) adenosine receptors that are useful in the practice of the present invention include compounds having the formula (II):

wherein Z is CR³R⁴R⁵; each R¹, R² and R³ is hydrogen; R⁴ and R⁵ together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form a cycloalkyl ring having 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 ring atoms; and

-   -   wherein the ring comprising R⁴ and R⁵ is substituted with         —(CH₂)₀₋₆—Y; where Y is —CH₂OR^(a), —CO₂R^(a), —OC(O)R^(a),         CH₂OC(O)R^(a), C(O)NR^(b)R^(c), —CH₂SR^(a), —C(S)OR^(a),         —OC(S)R^(a), —CH₂OC(S)R^(a)or C(S)NR^(b)R^(c) or         —CH₂N(R^(b))(R^(c));     -   each R⁷ is independently hydrogen, (C₁-C₈)alkyl,         (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl, aryl or aryl(C₁-C₈)alkylene;     -   X is —CH₂OR^(a), —CO₂R^(a), —OC(O)R^(a), —CH₂OC(O)R^(a),         —C(O)NR^(b)R^(c), —CH₂SR^(a), —C(S)OR^(a), —OC(S)R^(a),         —CH₂OC(S)R^(a)or C(S)NR^(b)R^(c) or —CH₂N(R^(b))(R^(c));     -   each R^(a), R^(b) and R^(c) is independently hydrogen,         (C₁-C₈)alkyl, or (C₁-C₈)alkyl substituted with 1-3         (C₁-C₈)alkoxy, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl, (C₁-C₈)alkylthio, amino acid,         aryl, aryl(C₁-C₈)alkylene, heteroaryl, or         heteroaryl(C₁-C₈)alkylene; or R^(b) and R^(c), together with the         nitrogen to which they are attached, form a pyrrolidino,         piperidino, morpholino, or thiomorpholino ring; and m is 0 to         about 6; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

A specific value for —N(R⁷)₂ is amino, monomethylamino or cyclopropylamino.

A specific value for Z is carboxy- or —(C₁-C₄)alkoxycarbonyl-cyclohexyl(C₁-C₄)alkyl.

A specific value for R^(a) is H or (C₁-C₄)alkyl, i.e., methyl or ethyl.

A specific value for R^(b) is H, methyl or phenyl.

A specific value for R^(c) is H, methyl or phenyl.

A specific value for —CR¹R²)_(m)— is —CH₂— or —CH₂—CH₂—.

A specific value for X is CO₂R^(a), (C₂-C₅)alkanoylmethyl or amido.

A specific value for Y is CO₂R^(a), (C₂-C₅)alkanoylmethyl or amido.

A specific value for m is 1.

Specific A_(2A) adenosine receptor agonists suitable for use with the present invention having formula (II) include those described in U.S. Pat. No.: 6,232,297. Preferred compounds of formula (II) are those wherein each R⁷ is H, X is ethylaminocarbonyl and Z is 4-carboxycyclohexylmethyl (ATL-146a), Z is 4-methoxycarbonylcyclohexylmethyl (ATL-146e), Z is 4-isopropylcarbonyl-cyclohexylmethyl (ATL-1), Z is 4-acetoxymethyl-cyclohexylmethyl (ATL-193) or Z is 4-pyrrolidine-1-carbonylcyclohexylmethyl (ATL-3). These compounds are depicted below.

The specific A_(2A) adenosine receptor agonists suitable for use with the present invention having formula (II) include those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,232,297. These compounds, having formula (II), can be prepared according to the methods described therein.

Another specific group of agonists of A_(2A) adenosine receptors that are useful in the practice of the present invention include compounds having the general formula (III):

wherein Z² is a group selected from the group consisting of —OR¹², —NR¹³R¹⁴, a —C≡C-Z³, and —NH—N═R¹⁷;

-   -   each Y² is individually H, (C₁-C₆)alkyl, (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl,         phenyl or phenyl(C₁-C₃)alkyl;     -   R¹² is (C₁-C₄)alkyl; C₁₋₄-alkyl substituted with one or more         (C₁-C₄)alkoxy groups, halogens (fluorine, chlorine or bromine),         hydroxy groups, amino groups, mono((C₁-C₄)alkyl)amino groups,         di((C₁-C₄)alkyl)amino groups or (C₆-C₁₀)aryl groups wherein the         aryl groups may be substituted with one or more halogens         (fluorine, chlorine or bromine), (C₁-C₄)alkyl groups, hydroxy         groups, amino groups, mono((C₁-C₄)alkyl)amino groups or         di((C₁-C₄)alkyl)amino groups); (C₆-C₁₀)aryl; or C₆₋₁₀-aryl         substituted with one or more halogens (fluorine, chlorine or         bromine), hydroxy groups, amino groups, mono((C₁-C₄)alkyl)amino         groups, di((C₁-C₄)alkyl)amino groups or (C₁-C₄)alkyl groups; one         of R¹³ and R¹⁴ has the same meaning as R¹² and the other is         hydrogen; and     -   R¹⁷ is a group having the formula (i)     -   wherein each of R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ independently may be hydrogen,         (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl or any of the meanings of R¹², provided that         R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are not both hydrogen;     -   X² is CH₂OH, CH₃, CO₂R²⁰ or C(═O)NR²¹R²² wherein R²⁰ has the         same meaning as R¹³ and wherein R²¹ and R²² have the same         meanings as R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ or R²¹ and R²² are both H;     -   Z³ has one of the following meanings:     -   (C₆-C₁₀)aryl, optionally substituted with one to three halogen         atoms, (C₁-C₆)alkyl, (C₁-C₆)haloalkyl, (C₁-C₆)alkoxy,         (C₁-C₆)haloalkoxy, (C₂-C₆)alkoxycarbonyl, C₂-C₆ alkoxyalkyl,         (C₁-C₆)alkylthio, thio, CHO, cyanomethyl, nitro, cyano, hydroxy,         carboxy, (C₂-C₆)acyl, amino (C₁-C₃)monoalkylamino,         (C₂-C₆)dialkylamino, methylenedioxy or aminocarbonyl;     -   a group of formula —CH₂)_(q)-Het wherein q is 0 or an integer         from 1 to 3 and Het is 5 or 6 membered heterocyclic aromatic or         non-aromatic ring, optionally benzocondensed, containing 1 to 3         heteroatoms selected from nonperoxide oxygen, nitrogen or         sulphur, linked through a carbon atom or through a nitrogen         atom;     -   (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl optionally containing unsaturation or         (C₂-C₄)alkenyl;         wherein     -   R²³ is hydrogen, methyl or phenyl;     -   R²⁴ is hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)linear or branched alkyl,         (C₅-C₆)cycloalkyl or (C₃-C₇)cycloalkenyl, phenyl(C₁-C₂)alkyl or         R²³ and R²⁴, taken together, form a 5 or 6-membered carbocyclic         ring or R²⁵ is hydrogen and R²³ and R²⁴, taken together, form an         oxo group or a corresponding acetalic derivative;     -   R²⁵ is OH, NH₂ dialkylamino, halogen, cyano; and n is 0 or 1 to         4; or (C₁-C₁₆)alkyl, optionally comprising 1-2 double bonds, O,         S or NY²;     -   or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Specific (C₆-C₁₀)aryl groups include phenyl and naphthyl.

Preferably, in the compound of formula (I), Z² is a group of the formula (iii) —O—(CH₂)_(n)—Ar   (iii) wherein n is an integer from 1-4, preferably 2, and Ar is a phenyl group, tolyl group, naphthyl group, xylyl group or mesityl group. Most preferably Ar is a para-tolyl group and n=2.

Preferably, in the compound of formula (II), Z² is a group of the formula (iv) —NH—N═CHCy   (iv) wherein Cy is a C₃₋₇-cycloalkyl group, preferably cyclohexyl or a (C₁-C₄)alkyl group, preferably isopropyl.

Preferably, in the compound of formula (II), Z² is a group of the formula (vii) —C≡C-Z³   (v) wherein Z³ is (C₃-C₁₆)alkyl, hydroxyl(C₂-C₆)alkyl or (phenyl)-(hydroxymethyl).

Specific examples of such compounds of formula (I) include WRC-0470, WRC-0474 [SHA 211], WRC-0090, WRC-0094 and WRC-0018, shown below:

wherein the H on the CH₂OH group can optionally be replaced by ethylaminocarbonyl. Of these specific examples, WRC-0474[SHA 211] and WRC-0470 are particularly preferred.

Such compounds may be synthesized as described in: Olsson et al. (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,140,015 and 5,278,150); Cristalli (U.S. Pat. No. 5,593,975); Miyasaka et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,956,345); Hutchinson, A. J. et al., J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther., 251, 47 (1989); Olsson, R. A. et al., J. Med. Chem., 29, 1683 (1986); Bridges, A. J. et al., J. Med. Chem., 31, 1282 (1988); Hutchinson, A. J. et al., J. Med. Chem., 33, 1919 (1990); Ukeeda, M. et al., J. Med. Chem., 34, 1334 (1991); Francis, J. E. et al., J. Med. Chem., 34, 2570 (1991); Yoneyama, F. et al., Eur. J. Pharmacol., 213, 199-204 (1992); Peet, N. P. et al., J. Med. Chem., 35, 3263 (1992); and Cristalli, G. et al., J. Med. Chem., 35, 2363 (1992); all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Another embodiment includes compounds having formula (III) where Z² is a group having formula (vi):

wherein R³⁴ and R³⁵ are independently H, (C₁-C₆)alkyl, (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, phenyl, phenyl (C₁-C₃)alkyl or R³⁴ and R³⁵ taken together with the nitrogen atom are a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic ring containing 1-2 heteroatoms selected from nonperoxide oxygen, nitrogen (N(R¹³)) or sulphur atoms. Preferably one of R³⁴ and R³⁵ is hydrogen and the other is ethyl, methyl or propyl. More preferably one of R³⁴ and R³⁵ is hydrogen and the other is ethyl or methyl.

The 2-(pyrazol-1-yl)adenosine compounds of the invention, wherein Z² is a group having formula (vi), can be prepared by reacting a 2-chloro- or 2-iodo adenosine derivative with an 1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamides compound having formula (vii):

where R³⁴ and R³⁵ are as described above, wherein selective protection/deprotection of the amido group is used as needed. A preferred pyrazole derivative useful in practicing this invention is a compound having the formula:

The 1 H-pyrazole-4-carboxamides can be prepared starting with 1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid, available fro m Aldrich Chemical Co. In the first step, the acid is converted to an ester, e.g., a methyl or ethyl ester. The ester converted to the amide via aminolysis, e.g., with methylamine to form the methyl amide. The pyrazole-4-carboxamide will react with the 2-halopurines in the presence of a strong base to provide the 2-(pyrazol-1-yl)adenosine compounds having formula (III).

Another specific group of agonists of A_(2A) adenosine receptors that are useful in the practice of the present invention include compounds having the general formula (IV):

wherein Z⁴ is —NR²⁸R²⁹;

-   -   R²⁸ is hydrogen or (C₁-C₄)alkyl; and R²⁹ is         -   a) (C₁-C₄)alkyl;         -   b) (C₁-C₄)alkyl substituted with one or more (C₁-C₄)alkoxy,             halogen, hydroxy, amino, mono((C₁-C₄)alkyl)amino,             di((C₁-C₄)alkyl)amino or (C₆-C₁₀)aryl wherein aryl is             optionally substituted with one or more halogen, hydroxy,             amino, —(C₁-C₄)alkyl, R³⁰OOC—((C₁-C₄)alkyl)-,             R³¹R³²NC(═O)—((C₁-C₄)alkyl)-, mono((C₁-C₄)alkyl)amino or             di((C₁-C₄)alkyl)amino;         -   c) —(C₆-C₁₀)aryl; or         -   d) —(C₆-C₁₀)aryl substituted with one or more halogen,             hydroxy, amino, mono((C₁-C₄)alkyl)amino,             di((C₁-C₄)alkyl)amino or (C₁-C₄)alkyl;     -   wherein each Y⁴ is individually H, (C₁-C₆)alkyl,         (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, phenyl or phenyl(C₁-C₃)alkyl; and X⁴ is         —C(═O)NR³¹R³², —COOR³⁰, or —CH₂OR³⁰;     -   wherein each of R³¹ and R³² are independently; hydrogen;         C₃₋₇-cycloalkyl; (C₁-C₄)alkyl; (C₁-C₄)alkyl substituted with one         or more (C₁-C₄)alkoxy, halogen, hydroxy, —COOR³³, amino,         mono((C₁-C₄)alkyl)amino, di((C₁-C₄)alkyl)amino or (C₆-C₁₀)aryl         wherein aryl is optionally substituted with one or more halogen,         (C₁-C₄)alkyl, hydroxy, amino, mono((C₁-C₄)alkyl)amino or         di((C₁-C₄) alkyl)amino; (C₆-C₁₀)aryl; or (C₆-C₁₀)aryl         substituted with one or more halogen, hydroxy, amino,         mono((C₁-C₄)alkyl)amino, di((C₁-C₄)alkyl)amino or (C₁-C₄)alkyl;     -   R²⁶ and R²⁷ independently represent hydrogen, lower alkanoyl,         lower alkoxy-lower alkanoyl, aroyl, carbamoyl or mono- or         di-lower alkylcarbamoyl; and R³⁰ and R³³ are independently         hydrogen, (C¹-C₄)alkyl, (C₆-C₁₀)aryl or         (C₆-C₁₀)aryl((C₁-C₄)alkyl); or a pharmaceutically acceptable         salt thereof.

In one embodiment of formula (IV), at least one of R²⁸ and R²⁹ is (C₁-C₄)alkyl substituted with one or more (C₁-C₄)alkoxy, halogen, hydroxy, amino, mono((C₁-C₄)alkyl)amino, di((C₁-C₄)alkyl)amino or (C₆-C₁₀)aryl wherein aryl is optionally substituted with one or more halogen, hydroxy, amino, (C₁-C₄)alkyl, R³⁰OOC—(C₁-C₄)alkyl, mono((C₁-C₄)alkyl)amino or di((C₁-C₄)alkyl)amino.

In another embodiment, at least one of R³¹ and R³² is C₁₋₄-alkyl substituted with one or more (C₁-C₄)alkoxy, halogen, hydroxy, amino, mono((C₁-C₄)alkyl)amino, di((C₁-C₄)alkyl)amino or C₆₋₁₀-aryl wherein aryl is optionally substituted with one or more halogen, hydroxy, amino, (C₁-C₄)alkyl, R³⁰OOC—(C₁-C₄)alkylene-, mono((C₁-C₄)alkyl)amino or di((C₁-C₄)alkyl)amino.

In another embodiment, at least one of R²⁸ and R²⁹ is C₆₋₁₀-aryl substituted with one or more halogen, hydroxy, amino, mono((C₁-C₄)alkyl)amino, di((C₁-C₄)alkyl)amino or (C₁-C₄)alkyl.

In another embodiment, at least one of R³¹ and R³² is C₆₋₁₀-aryl substituted with one or more halogen, hydroxy, amino, mono((C₁-C₄)alkyl)-amino, di((C₁-C₄)alkyl)amino or (C₁-C₄)alkyl.

In a preferred combination, R³¹ is hydrogen and R³² is (C₁-C₄)alkyl, cyclopropyl or hydroxy-(C₂-C₄)alkyl. A preferred R²⁸ group is (C₁-C₄)alkyl substituted with (C₆-C₁₀)aryl, that is in turn substituted with R³⁰O(O)C—(C₁-C₄)alkyline-.

A preferred compound having formula (IV) is:

wherein R³⁰ is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl or isopropyl. More preferred is a compound wherein the R³⁰ group is methyl or ethyl. The most preferred R³⁰ group is methyl.

Two compounds that are particularly useful in practicing the present invention have the formula:

wherein R³⁰ is hydrogen (acid, CGS21680) and where R³⁰ is methyl (ester, JR2171).

The compounds of the invention having formula (IV) may be synthesized as described in: U.S. Pat. No. 4,968,697 or J. Med. Chem., 33, 1919-1924, (1990)

Specifically, the invention also provides the use of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to prepare a medicament for treating systemic intoxification in a mammal (e.g. a human),.

Specifically, the invention also provides the use of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to prepare a medicament for treating inflammation caused by a diabetic condition such as, for example, as diabetic kidney disease, e.g., diabetic nephropathy in a mammal (e.g. a human).

The present method also includes the administration of a Type IV phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor in combination with compounds having formulae (I), (II), (III), and (IV). The combination of the compounds of the invention with type IV phosphodiesterase inhibitor provides synergistic decreases in the inflammatory response of immune cells. Examples of Type IV phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,193,926, and WO 92-079778, and Molnar-Kimber, K. L. et al., J. Immunol., 150, 295A (1993), all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Suitable Type IV phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors include racemic and optically active 4-(polyalkoxyphenyl)-2-pyrrolidones of general formula (VI):

(disclosed and described in U.S. Pat. No.4,193,926) wherein R¹⁸ and R¹⁹ are independently the same or different and are hydrocarbon radicals having up to 18 carbon atoms with at least one being other than methyl, a heterocyclic ring, or alkyl of 1-5 carbon atoms which is substituted by one or more of halogen atoms, hydroxy, carboxy, alkoxy, alkoxycarbonyl or an amino group or amino.

Examples of hydrocarbon R¹⁸ and R¹⁹ groups are saturated and unsaturated, straight-chain and branched alkyl of 1-18, preferably 1-5, carbon atoms, cycloalkyl and cycloalkylalkyl, preferably 3-7 carbon atoms, and aryl and aralkyl, preferably of 6-10 carbon atoms, especially monocyclic.

Rolipram is an example of a suitable Type IV phosphodiesterase or PDE inhibitor included within the above formula. Rolipram has the following formula:

Additional examples of PDE-IV inhibitors are known in the art and include compounds such as, for example, the following:

In cases where compounds are sufficiently basic or acidic to form stable nontoxic acid or base salts, administration of the compounds as salts may be appropriate. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable salts are organic acid addition salts formed with acids which form a physiological acceptable anion, for example, tosylate, methanesulfonate, acetate, citrate, malonate, tartarate, succinate, benzoate, ascorbate, α-ketoglutarate, and α-glycerophosphate. Suitable inorganic salts may also be formed, including hydrochloride, sulfate, nitrate, bicarbonate, and carbonate salts.

Pharmaceutically acceptable salts may be obtained using standard procedures well known in the art, for example by reacting a sufficiently basic compound such as an amine with a suitable acid affording a physiologically acceptable anion. Alkali metal (for example, sodium, potassium or lithium) or alkaline earth metal (for example calcium) salts of carboxylic acids can also be made.

Compounds of the present invention can conveniently be administered in a pharmaceutical composition containing the compound in combination with a suitable excipient. Such pharmaceutical compositions can be prepared by methods and contain excipients which are well known in the art. A generally recognized compendium of such methods and ingredients is Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences by E. W. Martin (Mark Publ. Co., 15th Ed., 1975). The compounds and compositions of the present invention can be administered parenterally (for example, by intravenous, intraperitoneal or intramuscular injection), topically, orally, or rectally.

For oral therapeutic administration, the active compound may be combined with one or more excipients and used in the form of ingestible tablets, buccal tablets, troches, capsules, elixirs, suspensions, syrups, wafers, and the like. Such compositions and preparations should contain at least 0.1% of active compound. The percentage of the compositions and preparations may, of course, be varied and may conveniently be between about 2 to about 60% of the weight of a given unit dosage form. The amount of active compound in such therapeutically useful compositions is such that an effective dosage level will be obtained.

The tablets, troches, pills, capsules, and the like may also contain the following: binders such as gum tragacanth, acacia, corn starch or gelatin; excipients such as dicalcium phosphate; a disintegrating agent such as corn starch, potato starch, alginic acid and the like; a lubricant such as magnesium stearate; and a sweetening agent such as sucrose, fructose, lactose or aspartame or a flavoring agent such as peppermint, oil of wintergreen, or cherry flavoring may be added. When the unit dosage form is a capsule, it may contain, in addition to materials of the above type, a liquid carrier, such as a vegetable oil or a polyethylene glycol. Various other materials may be present as coatings or to otherwise modify the physical form of the solid unit dosage form. For instance, tablets, pills, or capsules may be coated with gelatin, wax, shellac or sugar and the like. A syrup or elixir may contain the active compound, sucrose or fructose as a sweetening agent, methyl and propylparabens as preservatives, a dye and flavoring such as cherry or orange flavor. Of course, any material used in preparing any unit dosage form should be pharmaceutically acceptable and substantially non-toxic in the amounts employed. In addition, the active compound may be incorporated into sustained-release preparations and devices.

The compounds or compositions can also be administered intravenously or intraperitoneally by infusion or injection. Solutions of the active compound or its salts can be prepared in water, optionally mixed with a nontoxic surfactant. Dispersions can also be prepared in glycerol, liquid polyethylene glycols, triacetin, and mixtures thereof and in oils. Under ordinary conditions of storage and use, these preparations contain a preservative to prevent the growth of microorganisms.

Pharmaceutical dosage forms suitable for injection or infusion can include sterile aqueous solutions or dispersions or sterile powders comprising the active ingredient which are adapted for the extemporaneous preparation of sterile injectable or infusible solutions or dispersions, optionally encapsulated in liposomes. In all cases, the ultimate dosage form should be sterile, fluid and stable under the conditions of manufacture and storage. The liquid carrier or vehicle can be a solvent or liquid dispersion medium comprising, for example, water, ethanol, a polyol (for example, glycerol, propylene glycol, liquid polyethylene glycols, and the like), vegetable oils, nontoxic glyceryl esters, and suitable mixtures thereof. The proper fluidity can be maintained, for example, by the formation of liposomes, by the maintenance of the required particle size in the case of dispersions or by the use of surfactants. The prevention of the action of microorganisms can be brought about by various antibacterial and antifungal agents, for example, parabens, chlorobutanol, phenol, sorbic acid, thimerosal, and the like. In many cases, it will be preferable to include isotonic agents, for example, sugars, buffers or sodium chloride. Prolonged absorption of the injectable compositions can be brought about by the use in the compositions of agents delaying absorption, for example, aluminum monostearate and gelatin.

Sterile injectable solutions can be prepared by incorporating the active compound in the required amount in the appropriate solvent with various of the other ingredients enumerated above, as required, followed by filter sterilization. In the case of sterile powders for the preparation of sterile injectable solutions, the preferred methods of preparation are vacuum drying and the freeze drying techniques, which yield a powder of the active ingredient plus any additional desired ingredient present in the previously sterile-filtered solutions.

For topical administration, the present compounds may be applied in pure form, i.e., when they are liquids. However, it will generally be desirable to administer them to the skin as compositions or formulations, in combination with a dermatologically acceptable carrier, which may be a solid or a liquid.

Useful solid carriers include finely divided solids such as talc, clay, microcrystalline cellulose, silica, alumina and the like. Useful liquid carriers include water, alcohols or glycols or water-alcohol/glycol blends, in which the present compounds can be dissolved or dispersed at effective levels, optionally with the aid of non-toxic surfactants. Adjuvants such as fragrances and additional antimicrobial agents can be added to optimize the properties for a given use. The resultant liquid compositions can be applied from absorbent pads, used to impregnate bandages and other dressings, or sprayed onto the affected area using pump-type or aerosol sprayers. Thickeners such as synthetic polymers, fatty acids, fatty acid salts and esters, fatty alcohols, modified celluloses or modified mineral materials can also be employed with liquid carriers to form spreadable pastes, gels, ointments, soaps, and the like, for application directly to the skin of the user.

Useful dosages of the compounds of formula I can be determined by comparing their in vitro activity, and in vivo activity in animal models. Methods for the extrapolation of effective dosages in mice, and other animals, to humans are known to the art; for example, see U.S. Pat. No. 4,938,949.

The compound is conveniently administered in unit dosage form; for example, containing about 0.05 mg to about 500 mg, conveniently about 0.1 mg to about 250 mg, most conveniently, about 1 mg to about 150 mg of active ingredient per unit dosage form. The desired dose may conveniently be presented in a single dose or as divided doses administered at appropriate intervals, for example, as two, three, four or more sub-doses per day. The sub-dose itself may be further divided, e.g., into a number of discrete loosely spaced administrations.

The compositions can conveniently be administered orally, sublingually, transdermally, or parenterally at dose levels of about 0.01 to about 150 μg/kg, preferably about 0.1 to about 50 μg/kg, and more preferably about 0.1 to about 10 μg/kg of mammal body weight.

For parenteral administration the compounds are presented in aqueous solution in a concentration of from about 0.1 to about 10%, more preferably about 0.1 to about 7%. The solution may contain other ingredients, such as emulsifiers, antioxidants or buffers.

The exact regimen for administration of the compounds and compositions disclosed herein will necessarily be dependent upon the needs of the individual subject being treated, the type of treatment and, of course, the judgment of the attending practitioner.

The preparation of compounds useful in practicing the present invention are disclosed in and can be prepared using the procedures described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,232,297, U.S. Pat. No. 4,968,697, J. Med. Chem., 1990, 33, 1919-1924, and U.S. patent application No. 20030186926, filed Oct. 1, 2002, and can generally be prepared as illustrated in Schemes 1A and 1B below. Starting materials can be prepared by procedures described in these schemes, procedures described in the General methods below or by procedures that would be well known to one of ordinary skill in organic chemistry. The variables used in Schemes 1A and Scheme 1B are as defined herein or as in the specification.

The preparation of alkynyl cycloalkanols is illustrated in Scheme 1A. A solution of an appropriate cycloalkanone (where j is from 0-5) is prepared in a solvent such as THF. A solution of a suitable ethynylmagnesium halide compound in a solvent is added to the cycloalkanone. After addition, the solution is allowed to stir at about 20 C for about 20 hours. The reaction is monitored via TLC until the starting material is consumed. The reaction is quenched with water, filtered over a plug of sand and silica, washed with a solvent, such as EtOAc, and evaporated to provide the product. Typically, two products are formed, the isomers formed by the axial/equatorial addition of the alkyne (where m is as defined above, and the sum of m1 and m2 is from 0 to about 7) to the ketone. The compounds are purified via flash chromatography using EtOAc/Hexanes to provide the product.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention a composition comprising an agonist of A_(2A)AR is administered to a patient to treat diabetic kidney disease, e.g., diabetic nephropathy. As used herein the term “treating” includes prophylaxis of the specific disorder or condition, or alleviation of the symptoms associated with a specific disorder or condition and/or preventing or eliminating said symptoms. In one embodiment a method for treating diabetic kidney disease, e.g., diabetic nephropathy is provided wherein an agonist of A_(2A)ARs is administered to a patient to reduce inflammation and improve survival in a patient suffering from diabetic kidney disease, e.g., diabetic nephropathy. In one embodiment the A_(2A)AR agonist is selected from the group consisting of ATL146e, ATL-1, ATL-3 and JR-3213.

The preparation of 2-alkynyladenosines is illustrated in Scheme 1B. A flame-dried round bottom under nitrogen is charged with 5-(6-Amino-2-iodo-purin-9-yl)-3,4-dihydroxy-tetrahydro-furan-2-carboxylic acid ethylamide (NECA 2-lodoadenosine) and a solvent such as DMF. The appropriate alkyne is added followed by acetonitrile and TEA. (The solvents are degassed.) The appropriate alkyne is added in acetonitrile, followed by TEA, 5 mole % Pd(PPh₃)₄, and CuI. The solution is allowed to stir for about 24 hours at room temperature, and monitored until complete by HPLC. If the reaction is not complete after this time, additional catalyst, CuI, and TEA are added. After the reaction is complete, the solvents are removed under high-vacuum and the residue taken up in a small amount of DMF. This product is isolated using preparative silica TLC. The product is purified by RP-HPLC.

Additional compounds useful in practicing the instant invention are illustrated below:

The following abbreviations have been used herein:

-   -   2-Aas 2-alkynyladenosines;     -   125I-ABA N6-(4-amino-3-125iodo-benzyl)adenosine     -   APCI Atmospheric pressure chemical ionization     -   ATL146e         4-{3-[6-Amino-9-(5-ethylcarbamoyl-3,4-dihydroxytetrahydro-furan-2-yl)-9H-purin-2-yl]-prop-2-ynyl}cyclo-hexanecarboxylic         acid methyl ester;     -   CCPA 2-chloro-N⁶-cyclopentyladenosine;     -   CGS21680         2-[4-(2-carboxyethyl)phenethylamino]-5′-N-ethyl-carboxamidoadenosine;     -   Cl-IB-MECA         N6-3-iodo-2-chlorobenzyladenosine-5′-N-methyl-uronamide;     -   CPA N6-cyclopentyladenosine     -   DMF dimethylformamide     -   DMSO dimethylsulfoxide     -   DMSO-d6 deuterated dimethylsulfoxide     -   EtOAc ethyl acetate     -   eq equivalent     -   GPCR G protein coupled receptor; hA_(2A)AR, Recombinant human         A_(2A) adenosine receptor;     -   IADO 2-Iodoadenosine     -   ¹²⁵I-APE,         2-[2-(4-amino-3-[¹²⁵I]iodophenyl)ethylamino]-adenosine;     -   NECA 5′-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine;     -   IB-MECA N⁶-3-iodobenzyladenosine-5′-N-methyluronamide;     -   2-Iodoadenosine         5-(6-amino-2-iodo-purin-9-yl)-3,4-dihydroxytetra-hydro-furan-2carboxylic         acid ethylamide     -   HPLC high-performance liquid chromatography     -   HRMS high-resolution mass spectrometry     -   ¹²⁵I-ZM241385,         ¹²⁵I-4-(2-[7-amino-2-[2-furyl][1,2,4]triazolo-[2,3-a][1,3,5]triazin-5-yl-amino]ethyl)phenol;     -   INECA 2-iodo-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine     -   LC/MS liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry     -   m.p. melting point     -   MHz megahertz     -   MRS 1220         N-(9-chloro-2-furan-2-yl-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-c]-quinazolin-5-yl)-2-phenylacetamide;     -   MS mass spectrometry     -   NECA N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine     -   NMR nuclear magnetic resonance     -   RP-HPLC reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography     -   TBAF tetrabutylammonium fluoride     -   TBS tert-butyldimethylsilyl     -   TBDMSCl tert-butyldimethylsilylchloride     -   TEA triethylamine     -   TFA trifluoroacetic acid     -   THF tetrahydrofuan     -   TLC thin layer chromatography     -   p-TSOH para-toluenesulfonic acid     -   XAC         8-(4-((2-a-minoethyl)aminocarbonyl-methyloxy)-phenyl)-1-3-dipropylxanthine.         Syntheses of Compounds Useful in Practicing the Invention.

All melting points were determined with a Thomas Hoover capillary melting point apparatus and are uncorrected. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectra for proton (¹H NMR) were recorded on a 300 MHz GE spectrophotometer. The chemical shift values are expressed in ppm (parts per million) relative to tetramethylsilane. For data reporting, s=singlet, d=doublet, t=triplet, q=quartet, and m=multiplet. Mass spectra were measured on a Finnigan LcQ Classic. High resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) data was provided by the Nebraska Center for Mass Spectrometry. Analytical HPLC was done on a Waters 2690 Separation Module with a Waters Symmetry C8 (2.1×150 mm) column operated at room temperature. Compounds were eluted at 200 μL/min with 70:30 acetonitrile: water, containing 0.5% acetic acid, with UV detection at 214 nm using a Waters 486 Tunable Detector. Preparative HPLC was performed on a Shimadzu Discovery HPLC with a Shim-pack VP-ODS C₁₈ (20×100 mm) column operated at room temperature. Compounds were eluted at 30 mL/min with a gradient 20-80% of water (containing 0.1% TFA) to methanol over 15 minutes with UV detection at 214 nm using a SPD 10A VP Tunable detector. All final compounds presented here were determined to be greater than 98% pure by HPLC. Flash chromatography was performed on Silicyle 60A gel (230-400 mesh) or using reusable chromatography columns and system from RT Scientific, Manchester, N.H. Analytical thin-layer chromatography was done on Merck Kieselgel 60 F254 aluminum sheets. Preparative thin-layer chromatography was done using 1000 micron Analtech Uniplate with silica gel. All reactions were done under a nitrogen atmosphere in flame-dried glassware unless otherwise stated.

EXAMPLE 1 Effects of ATL146e on Blood Glucose, Body Weight, Systolic Blood Pressure and Urine Volume in STZ (45 mg/kg) Diabetic Model (n=5 Each Group)

Rats were administered ATL146e (10 ng/kg/min) or vehicle by osmotic minipumps prior to the induction of diabetes by STZ (50 mg/kg, iv) and followed for up to 6 week. Table 1, below illustrates the effect of STZ on blood glucose, body weight, systolic blood pressure and 24 hours of urine volume as well as the effect of ATL146e. TABLE 1 Diabetes + Normal Diabetes ATL146e Blood Baseline  71 ± 3  74 ± 4  75 ± 5 Glucose Week 1  67 ± 3 366 ± 46** 311 ± 37** (mg/dl) Week 6  73 ± 3 375 ± 29*** 359 ± 23*** Body Baseline 250 ± 17 250 ± 9 250 ± 13 Weight (g) Week 3 391 ± 17** 344 ± 9* 323 ± 13* Week 6 505 ± 37*** 341 ± 22** 358 ± 24* Systolic Week 3 120 ± 5 117 ± 2 123 ± 4 Blood Week 6 115 ± 2 145 ± 4***++ 114 ± 2 Pressure (mmHg) 24 h Urine Baseline  27 ± 4  18 ± 3  15 ± 2 Volume (ml) Week 2  18 ± 3  72 ± 3***  53 ± 13* Week 4  13 ± 3  66 ± 6***  57 ± 15* Week 6  18 ± 1 124 ± 14**+  59 ± 23 *= 0.05, **= 0.005, ***= 0.0001 to normal += 0.05, ++= 0.0001 to D + ATL146e

Table 1 summarizes the data for blood glucose (BG), body weight (BW), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and 24 hour urinary volume (UV). Basal BG level was 74±4 mg/dl and increased to 325±4 mg/dl 48 hours after STZ-induction of diabetes and continued to be elevated at 3 and 6 weeks of the study period. Normal rats gained weight as expected. The increase in BW in the diabetes and diabetes+ATL146e rats was modest and significant from normal rats of the matched age. There were no significant changes in SBP, 3 weeks after STZ-induction of diabetes between all groups. SBP increased significantly after 6 weeks in the diabetes group from normal animals. Stimulation of A_(2A) receptor with ATL146e restored the increase in SBP that was observed in the diabetes with no treatment. UV increased significantly in diabetes and diabetes+ATL146e groups as expected after STZ-induction of diabetes through out the study period.

EXAMPLE 2 Effects of ATL146e on Urinary Albumin Excretion in Diabetes

Urine collections were obtained for 24 hours for measurement of urinary albumin excretion (UAE). UAE rate was 135±35 μg/24 hours at baseline and increased to 1265±500 μg/24 hours and 2921±335 μg/24 hours (P<0.0001) at week 2 and 6, respectively in the diabetic group. These data confirm that our STZ-induced diabetic animal model demonstrate albuminuria (a marker for diabetic nephropathy). A_(2A) receptor activation with ATL146e minimizes the increase of UAE in diabetic group, a hallmark of diabetic nephropathy. Results are illustrated in FIG. 1.

EXAMPLE 3 Effects of ATL146e on Plasma Creatinine in Diabetes

In diabetic rats, ATL146e significantly restored to normal the increase in plasma creatinine that was observed in diabetic mice treated with vehicle. Both reductions in UAE and plasma creatinine levels demonstrate functionally the protective effects of A_(2A) receptor activation in diabetic nephropathy. Results are illustrated in FIG. 2.

EXAMPLE 4 Effects of ATL146e on Urinary and Plasma TNF-Alpha in Diabetes

Urinary TNF-alpha was not different between groups before STZ treatment. In the diabetic group, urinary TNF-alpha increased significantly (p<0.05) at 6 week after diabetes. A_(2A) receptor stimulation and ATL146e significantly (P<0.05) reduced the increase in Plasma TNF-alpha. Plasma TNF-alpha was not detectable in all groups at any point of the study periods (data not shown). These data demonstrate that: (1) the increase in inflammatory cytokine TNFalpha in following induction of diabetes is markedly reduced by ATL146e and (2) the source of TNF-alpha is mainly from the kidney as TNF-alpha was not detectable in plasma. Results are illustrated in FIG. 3.

EXAMPLE 5 Effects of ATL146e on Urinary Nitric Oxide End Products (Nitrite and Nitrate) (NOX) in Diabetes

As shown to the right, NOX (as an indicator of endothelial function in the kidney) was decreased in diabetes group at 6 week after STZ induction of diabetes. The decreased in NOX was improved by ATL146e. The results indicate that the production of NO is diminished in diabetes and restored to normal levels by A_(2A) receptor activation with ATL146e. Results are illustrated in FIG. 4.

EXAMPLE 6 Effects of ATL146e on Fibronectin after Induction of Diabetes

RNA from diabetic rats were extracted and subjected to polymerase chain reaction to examine profibrogenic factors. As shown to the right, the increase in fibronectin mRNA induced by diabetes mellitus was reduced to levels near control in animals following diabetes and treated with ATL146e. FIG. 7 Shows the effect of ATL146e treatment on kidney histology after 6 weeks of diabetes. Trichrome stain of kidneys from diabetic rats treated with vehicle for 6 weeks (Panels a, c) or ATL146e-10 ng/kg/min (Panels b, d). Magnification ×400. Each panel represents a photograph from a different test animal. Results are illustrated in FIG. 5.

EXAMPLE 7 Effect of an A_(2A) AR Agonist (ATL146e) Treatment on Kidney Histology

Kidneys from diabetic rats were analyzed. A Trichrome stain of kidney samples (Magnification ×400) from the rats treated with vehicle or with ATL146e for 6 weeks is illustrated in FIG. 6. Panels a and c, are samples from rats treated with vehicle alone. Panels b and d, are samples from rats treated with ATL146e (at 10 ng/kg/min). The data illustrate the effect of the A_(2A) AR agonist (ATL146e) treatment on kidney histology after 6 weeks of diabetes. Each panel represents a sample from a different test animal.

All cited publications, patents, and patent documents are incorporated by reference herein, as though individually incorporated by reference. The invention has been described with reference to various specific and preferred embodiments and techniques. However, it should be understood that many variations and modifications may be made while remaining within the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A therapeutic method for treating diabetic nephropathy comprising the administration to a patient in need thereof an effective amount of an A_(2A) adenosine receptor agonist.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising administering the A_(2A) adenosine receptor agonist in combination with an effective amount of a Type IV phosphodiesterase inhibitor.
 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the A_(2A) adenosine receptor agonist is a compound having formula (I):

wherein Z is CR³R⁴R⁵ or NR⁴R⁵; each R¹ is independently hydrogen, halo, —OR^(a), —SR^(a), (C₁-C₈)alkyl, cyano, nitro, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl, heterocycle, hetrocycle(C₁-C₈)alkylene-, aryl, aryl(C₁-C₈)alkylene-, heteroaryl, heteroaryl(C₁-C₈)alkylene-, —CO₂R^(a), R^(a)C(═O)O—, R^(a)C(═O)—, —OCO₂R^(a), R^(b)R^(c)NC(═O)O—, R^(a)OC(═O)N(R^(b))—, R^(b)R^(c)N—, R^(b)R^(c)NC(═O)—, R^(a)C(═O)N(R^(b))—, R^(b)R^(c)NC(═O)N(R^(b))—, R^(b)R^(c)NC(═S)N(R^(b))—, —OPO₃R^(a), R^(a)OC(═S)—, R^(a)C(═S)—, —SSR^(a), R^(a)S(═O)—, R^(a)S(═O)₂—, —N═NR^(b), or —OPO₂R^(a); each R² is independently hydrogen, halo, (C₁-C₈)alkyl, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl, heterocycle, heterocycle(C₁-C₈)alkylene-, aryl, aryl(C₁-C₈)alkylene-, heteroaryl, or heteroaryl(C₁-C₈)alkylene-; or R¹ and R² and the atom to which they are attached is C═O, C═S or C═NR^(d); R⁴ and R⁵ together with the atoms to which they are attached form a saturated or partially unsaturated, mono-, bicyclic- or aromatic ring having 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 ring atoms optionally comprising 1, 2, 3, or 4 heteroatoms selected from non-peroxide oxy (—O—), thio (—S—), sulfinyl (—SO—), sulfonyl (—S(O)₂—) or amine (—NR^(b)—) in the ring; wherein any ring comprising R⁴ and R⁵ is substituted with from 1 to 14 R groups; wherein each R⁶ is independently halo, —OR^(a), —SR^(a), (C₁-C₈)alkyl, cyano, nitro, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, (C₁-C₈)cycloalkyl, (C₆-C₁₂)bicycloalkyl, heterocycle or hetrocycle (C₁-C₈)alkylene-, aryl, aryl (C₁-C₈)alkylene-, heteroaryl, heteroaryl(C₁-C₈)alkylene-, —CO₂R^(a), R^(a)C(═O)O—, R^(a)C(═O)—, —OCO₂R^(a), R^(b)R^(c)NC(═O)O—, R^(a)OC(═O)N(R^(b))—, R^(b)R^(c)N—, R^(b)R^(c)NC(═O)—, R^(a)C(═O)N(R^(b))—, R^(b)R^(c)NC(═O)N(R^(b))—, R^(b)R^(c)NC(═S)N(R^(b))—, —OPO₃R^(a), R^(a)OC(═S)—, R^(a)C(═S)—, —SSR^(a), R^(a)S(═O)—, —NNR^(b),—OPO₂R^(a), or two R⁶ groups and the atom to which they are attached is C═O, C═S or; two R⁶ groups together with the atom or atoms to which they are attached can form a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring; R³ is hydrogen, halo, —OR^(a), —SR^(a), (C₁-C₈)alkyl, cyano, nitro, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl, heterocycle, hetrocycle(C₁-C₈)alkylene-, aryl, aryl(C₁-C₈)alkylene-, heteroaryl, heteroaryl(C₁-C₈)alkylene-, —CO₂R^(a), R^(a)C(═O)O—, R^(a)C(═O)—, —OCO₂R^(a), R^(b)R^(c)NC(═O)O—, R^(a)OC(═O)N(R^(b))—, R^(b)R^(c)N—, R^(b)R^(c)NC(═O)—, R^(a)C(═O)N(R^(b))—, R^(b)R^(c)NC(═O)N(R^(b))—, R^(b)R^(c)NC(═S)N(R^(b))—, —OPO₃R^(a), R^(a)OC(═S)—, R^(a)C(═S)—, —SSR^(a), R^(a)S(═O)—, R^(a)S(═O)₂—, —NNR^(b), —OPO₂R^(a); or if the ring formed from CR⁴R⁵ is aryl or hetreroaryl or partially unsaturated then R³ can be absent; each R⁷ is independently hydrogen, (C₁-C₈)alkyl, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl, aryl or aryl(C₁-C₈)alkylene, heteroaryl, heteroaryl(C₁-C₈)alkylene-; X is —CH₂OR^(a), —CO₂R^(a), —OC(O)R^(a), —CH₂OC(O)R^(a), —C(O)NR^(b)R^(c), —CH₂SR^(a), —C(S)OR^(a), —OC(S)R^(a), —CH₂OC(S)R^(a)or —C(S)NR0^(b)R^(c) or —CH₂N(R^(b))(R^(c)); wherein any of the alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, or heteroaryl, groups of R¹, R², R³, R⁶ and R⁷ is optionally substituted on carbon with one or more (e.g. 1, 2, 3, or 4) substituents selected from the group consisting of halo, —OR^(a), —SR^(a), (C₁-C₈)alkyl, cyano, nitro, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl, (C₆-C₁₂)bicycloalkyl, heterocycle or hetrocycle(C₁-C₈)alkylene-, aryl, aryloxy, aryl (C₁-C₈)alkylene-, heteroaryl, heteroaryl(C₁-C₈)alkylene-, —CO₂R^(a), R^(a)C(═O)O—, R^(a)C(═O)—, —OCO₂R^(a), R^(b)R^(c)NC(═O)O—, R^(a)OC(═O)N(R^(b))—, R^(b)R^(c)N—, R^(b)R^(c)NC(═O)—, R^(a)C(═O)N(R^(b))—, R^(b)R^(c)NC(═O)N(R^(b))—, R^(b)R^(c)NC(═S)N(R^(b))—, OPO₃R^(a), R^(a)OC(═S)—, R^(a)C(═S), —SSR^(a), R^(a)S(═O)_(p)—, R^(b)R^(c)NS(O)_(p)—, N═NR , and —OPO₂R^(a); wherein any (C₁-C₈)alkyl, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl, (C₆-C₁₂)bicycloalkyl, (C₁-C₈)alkoxy, (C₁-C8)alkanoyl, (C₁-C₈)alkylene, or heterocycle, is optionally partially unsaturated; each R^(a), R^(b)and R^(c) is independently hydrogen, (C₁-C₈)alkyl, or (C₁-C₈)alkyl substituted with 1-3 (C₁-C₈)alkoxy, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl, (C₁-C₈)alkylthio, amino acid, aryl, aryl(C₁-C₈)alkylene, heteroaryl, or heteroaryl(C₁-C₈)alkylene; or R^(b) and R^(c), together with the nitrogen to which they are attached, form a pyrrolidino, piperidino, morpholino, or thiomorpholino ring; and R^(d) is hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)alkyl; m is 0 to about 8 and p is 0 to 2; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 4. The method of any of claims 1-3, wherein R¹ is hydrogen, —OH, —CH₂OH, —OMe, —OAc, —NH₂, —NHMe, —NMe₂ or —NHAc.
 5. The method of any of claims 1-4, wherein R¹ is hydrogen, —OH, —OMe, —OAc, —NH₂, —NHMe, —NMe₂ or —NHAc.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein R¹ is hydrogen, OH, OMe, or NH₂.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein R¹ is hydrogen, OH, or NH².
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein R¹ is hydrogen or OH.
 9. The method of any of claims 1-8, wherein R² is hydrogen, (C₁-C₈)alkyl, cyclopropyl, cyclohexyl or benzyl.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein R² is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl or propyl.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein R² is hydrogen or methyl.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein R² is hydrogen.
 13. The method of any of claims 1-8, wherein R¹, R² and the carbon atom to which they are attached is carbonyl (C═O).
 14. The method of any of claims 1-13, wherein R³ is hydrogen, OH, OMe, OAc, NH₂, NHMe, NMe₂ or NHAc.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein R³ is hydrogen, OH, OMe, or NH₂.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein R³ is hydrogen, OH, or NH₂.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein R³ is hydrogen or OH.
 18. The method of any of claims 1-17, wherein the ring comprising R⁴, R⁵ and the atom to which they are connected is cyclopentane, cyclohexane, piperidine, dihydro-pyridine, tetrahydro-pyridine, pyridine, piperazine, decaline, tetrahydro-pyrazine, dihydro-pyrazine, pyrazine, dihydro-pyrimidine, tetrahydro-pyrimidine, hexahydro-pyrimidine, pyrazine, imidazole, dihydro-imidazole, imidazolidine, pyrazole, dihydro-pyrazole, and pyrazolidine.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the ring comprising R⁴, R⁵ and the atom to which they are connected is cyclopentane, cyclohexane, piperidine, dihydro-pyridine, tetrahydro-pyridine, pyridine, piperazine, tetrahydro-pyrazine, dihydro-pyrazine, pyrazine, dihydro-pyrimidine, tetrahydro-pyrimidine, hexahydro-pyrimidine, pyrazine, imidazole, dihydro-imidazole, imidazolidine, pyrazole, dihydro-pyrazole, and. pyrazolidine.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the ring comprising R⁴ and R⁵ and the atom to which they are connected is, cyclohexane, piperidine or piperazine.
 21. The method of any of claims 1-20, wherein R⁶ is (C₁-C₈)alkyl, or substituted (C₁-C₈)alkyl, —OR^(a), —CO₂R^(a), R^(a)C(═O)—, R^(a)C(═O)O—, R^(b)R^(c)N—, R^(b)R^(c)NC(═O)—, or aryl.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein R⁶ is (C₁-C₈)alkyl, —OR^(a), —CO₂R^(a), R^(a)C(═O)—, R^(a)C(═O)O—, R^(b)R^(c)N—, R^(b)R^(c)NC(═O)—, or aryl.
 23. The method of claim 22, wherein R⁶ is methyl, ethyl, butyl, OH, OR^(a), —CO₂R^(a), R^(a)C(═O)—, OC(═O)CH₂CH₃, —CONR^(b)R^(c), NR^(b)R^(c) or phenyl.
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein R⁶ is OH, OMe, methyl, ethyl, t-butyl, —CO₂R^(a), —CONR^(b)R^(c), OAc, NH₂, NHMe, NMe₂, NHEt or N(Et)₂.
 25. The method of claim 24, wherein R⁶ is methyl, ethyl, t-butyl, phenyl, —CO₂R^(a)—CONR^(b)R^(c), or (═O)CR^(a).
 26. The method of claim 25, wherein R⁶ is methyl, ethyl, —CO₂R^(a)—CONR^(b)R^(c), or OAc.
 27. The method of claim 26, wherein R⁶ is—(CH₂)₁₋₂OR^(a), —(CH₂)₁₋₂C(═O)OR^(a), —(CH₂)₁₋₂OC(═O)R^(a),—(CH₂)₁₋₂C(═O)R^(a), —(CH₂)₁₋₂OCO₂R^(a), —(CH₂)₁₋₂NHR⁴, —(CH₂)₁₋₂NR^(b)R^(c), —(CH₂)₁₋₂OC(═O)NHR^(a), or —(CH₂)₁₋₂OC(═O)NR^(b)R^(c).
 28. The method of claim 27, wherein R⁶ is —CH₂OH, —CH₂OAc, —CH₂OCH₃, —CH₂C(═O)OCH₃, —CH₂OC(═O)CH₃, —CH₂C(═O)CH₃, —CH₂OCO₂CH₃, —CH₂NH(CH₃), or —(CH₂)₁₋₂N(CH₃)₂.
 29. The method of claim 28, wherein R⁶ is —CH₂OH, —CH₂OAc, —C(═O)OCH₃, —C(═O)CH₃, OCO₂CH₃—OCO₂CH₃, —CH₂NH(CH₃), or —(CH₂)₁₋₂N(CH₃)₂.
 30. The method of any of claims 1-29, wherein number of R⁶ groups substituted on the R⁴R⁵ ring is from 1 to about
 4. 31. The method of any of claims 1-30, wherein R^(a) and R^(b) are independently hydrogen, (C₁-C₄)alkyl, aryl or aryl(C₁-C₈)alkylene.
 32. The method of claim 31, wherein R^(a) and R^(b) are independently hydrogen, methyl or ethyl, phenyl or benzyl.
 33. The method of claim 32, wherein R^(a) is (C₁-C₈)alkyl.
 34. The method of claim 33, wherein R^(a) is methyl, ethyl, propyl or butyl.
 35. The method of claim 34, wherein R^(a) is, methyl, ethyl, i-propyl, i-butyl or tert-butyl.
 36. The method of any of claims 1-35, wherein R^(b) and R^(c) and the atom to which they are attached form a ring.
 37. The method of any of claims 1-36, wherein R⁷ is hydrogen, alkyl, aryl or aryl(C₁-C₈)alkylene.
 38. The method of claim 37, wherein R⁷ is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl, phenyl or benzyl.
 39. The method of claim 38, wherein R⁷ is H, or methyl.
 40. The method of any of claims 1-39, wherein N(R⁷)₂ is amino, methylamino, dimethylamino; ethylamino; pentylamino, diphenylethylamino, pyridylmethylamino, diethylamino or benzylamino.
 41. The method of claim 40, wherein —N(R⁷)₂ is amino, methylamino, dimethylamino; ethylamino; diethylamino or benzylamino.
 42. The method of claim 41, wherein N(R⁷)₂ is amino, or methylamino.
 43. The method of any of claims 1-42, wherein X is —CH₂OR^(a), —CO₂R^(a), —OC(O)R^(a), —CH₂OC(O)R^(a), —C(O)NR^(b)R^(c).
 44. The method of claim 43, wherein X is —CH₂OR^(a)or —C(O)NR^(b)R^(c).
 45. The method of claim 44, wherein X is —CH₂OH or —C(O)NHCH₂CH₃.
 46. The method of any of claims 1-45, wherein m is 0, 1, or
 2. 47. The method of any of claims 1-46 wherein the rings comprising R⁴, R⁵ and the atom to which they are connected are selected from the group consisting of:


48. The method of claim 47, wherein the rings comprising R⁴, R⁵ and the atom to which they are connected are selected from the group consisting of:


49. The method of claim 47, wherein the ring comprising R⁴ and R⁵ is 2-methylcyclohexane, 2,2-dimethylcyclohexane, 2-phenylcyclohexane, 2-ethylcyclohexane, 2,2-diethylcyclohexane, 2-tert-butylcyclohexane, 3-methylcyclohexane, 3,3-dimethylcyclohexane, 4-methylcyclohexane, 4-ethylcyclohexane, 4-phenyl cyclohexane, 4-tert-butylcyclohexane, 4-carboxymethyl cyclohexane, 4-carboxyethyl cyclohexane, 3,3,5,5-tetramethyl cyclohexane, 2,4-dimethyl cyclopentane. 4-cyclohexanecarboxyic acid, 4-cyclohexanecarboxyic acid esters, or 4-methyloxyalkanoyl-cyclohexane.
 50. The method of claim 47, wherein the ring comprising R⁴ and R⁵ is 4-piperidine, 4-piperidene-1-carboxylic acid, 4-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid methyl ester, 4-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid ethyl ester, 4-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid propyl ester, 4-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester, 1-piperidine, 1-piperidine-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester, 1-piperidine-4-carboxylic acid ethyl ester, 1-piperidine-4-carboxylic acid propyl ester, 1-piperidine-4-caboxylic acid tert-butyl ester, 1-piperidine-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester, 3-piperidine, 3-piperidene-1-carboxylic acid, 3-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid methyl ester, 3-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester, 1,4-piperazine, 4-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid, 4-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid methyl ester, 4-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid ethyl ester, 4-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid propyl ester, 4-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butylester, 1,3-piperazine, 3-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid, 3-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid methyl ester, 3-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid ethyl ester, 3-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid propyl ester, 3-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butylester, 1-piperidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester, 1-piperidine-3-carboxylic acid ethyl ester, 1-piperidine-3-carboxylic acid propyl ester or 1-piperidine-3-caboxylic acid tert-butyl ester.
 51. The method of claim 50, wherein the ring comprising R⁴ and R⁵ is 2-methyl cyclohexane, 2,2-dimethylcyclohexane, 2-phenyl cyclohexane, 2-ethylcyclohexane, 2,2-diethylcyclohexane, 2-tert-butyl cyclohexane, 3-methyl cyclohexane, 3,3-dimethylcyclohexane, 4-methyl cyclohexane, 4-ethylcyclohexane, 4-phenyl cyclohexane, 4-tert-butyl cyclohexane, 4-carboxymethyl cyclohexane, 4-carboxyethyl cyclohexane, 3,3,5,5-tetramethyl cyclohexane, 2,4-dimethyl cyclopentane, 4-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid methyl ester, 4-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 4-piperidine, 4-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid methyl ester, 4-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butylester, 1-piperidine-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester, 1-piperidine-4-caboxylic acid tert-butyl ester, tert-butylester, 1-piperidine-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester, or 1-piperidine-4-caboxylic acid tert-butyl ester, 3-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid methyl ester, 3-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester, 3-piperidine, 3-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid methyl ester, 3-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butylester, 1-piperidine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester, 1-piperidine-3-caboxylic acid tert-butyl ester.
 52. The method of claim 3, wherein the A_(2A) adenosine receptor compound has the formula:


53. The method of claim 3, wherein Z is CR³R⁴R⁵; each R¹, R² and R³ is hydrogen; R⁴ and R⁵ together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form a cycloalkyl ring having 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 ring atoms; and wherein the ring comprising R⁴ and R⁵ is substituted with —(CH₂)₀₋₆—Y; where Y is —CH₂OR^(a), —CO₂R^(a), —OC(O)R^(a), —CH₂OC(O)R^(a), —C(O)NR^(b)R^(c), —CH₂SR^(a), —C(S)OR^(a), —OC(S)R^(a), —CH₂OC(S)R^(a)or C(S)NR^(b)R^(c) or —CH₂N(R^(a))(R^(b)); each R⁷ is independently hydrogen, (C₁-C₈)alkyl, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl, aryl or aryl(C₁-C₈)alkylene; X is —CH₂OR^(a), —CO₂R^(a), —OC(O)R^(a), —CH₂OC(O)R^(a), —C(O)NR^(b)R^(c), —CH₂SR^(a), —C(S)OR^(a), —OC(S)R^(a), —CH₂OC(S)R^(a)or C(S)NR^(b)R^(c) or —CH₂N(R^(b))(R^(c)); each R^(a), R^(b) and R^(c) is independently hydrogen, (C₁-C₈)alkyl, or (C₁-C₈)alkyl substituted with 1-3 (C₁-C₈)alkoxy, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl, (C₁-C₈)alkylthio, amino acid, aryl, aryl(C₁-C₈)alkylene, heteroaryl, or heteroaryl(C₁-C₈)alkylene; or R^(b)and R^(c), together with the nitrogen to which they are attached, form a pyrrolidino, piperidino, morpholino, or thiomorpholino ring; and m is 0 to about 6; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 54. The method of claim 3, wherein the A_(2A) adenosine receptor agonist is ATL-146e, AB-1, AB-3 or JR-3213.
 55. The method of claim 3, wherein the A_(2A) adenosine receptor agonist is ATL-146e.
 56. The method of any of claims 2-55, wherein Type IV phosphodiesterase inhibitor is rolipram or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 57. The method of any of claims 2-55, wherein Type IV phosphodiesterase inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 58. The method of any of claims 1-57, wherein the effectiveness of the adenosine A_(2A) agonist is blocked by the selective adenosine A_(2A) receptor antagonist ZM
 241385. 